Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1997 Apr;40(4):520-524.

Adult-onset Otitis Media with Effusion

• Kim HS
• Chae GH
• Kang SH
• Bong SG

Abstract

Otitis media with effusion(OME) is a very common disease of young children, but adult-on-set otitis media with effusion is rarely considered. A few of factors contribute to pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion, which are poor tubal dysfunction, upper respiratory viral infection, bacterial adherence, and immune status of the host. Otologic complaints are dominant in many of adult-onset OME patients. Sinusitis is the most common causal disease of adult-onset OME in our study. In our study, we conclude that adult-onset OME is a relatively common disease in contrast to the current thought and that we must carefully evaluate upper airway, especially sinuses and nasopharynx, and systemic aspects in adult-onset OME.

Keyword

Adult-onset OME; Sinusitis; Nasopharynx

MeSH Terms

Bacterial Infections
Child
Humans
Nasopharynx
Otitis Media with Effusion*
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Sinusitis