Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-75dct Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T12:20:39.483Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dysequilibrium and otitis media with effusion: What is the association?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. R. H. Grace  and
A. G. Pfleiderer
A. R. H. Grace
Affiliation:
London
A. G. Pfleiderer*
Affiliation:
London
*
A. G. Pfleiderer Addcnbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An association between non-suppurative otitis media (NSOM) and symptoms of dysequilibrium has been observed but not previously quantified in children (Gates, 1980;Busis, 1983; Blayney and Coleman, 1984). This study compared the incidence of balance related problems in 154 children with surgically proven glue ear and 51 children with normal ear function. Symptoms ranging from true vertigo to mild ataxia were discovered in 22 per cent of the children with NSOM but in none of those within the control group (p>0.001). Periods of dysequilibrium were associated with episodes of otalgia in 64 per cent of the children but were not increased in those with unilateral compared to those with bilateral effusions. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred in 85 per cent of children following the insertion of grommets. A history of balance disturbance should be actively sought in all children with otitis media with effusion, and when present, provides a strong indication for early operative intervention.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 104 , Issue 9 , September 1990 , pp. 682 - 684
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bezold, F. (1908) Experifncntelle Untersuchungen uber den Schalleitungsapparat des mcnschlichen Ohren II Teil. Archiv für Ohrenheilkumde, 77: 19–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blayney, A. W., Coleman, B. H. (1984) Dizzyncss in childhood. Clinical Otolaryngology, 9: 77–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Busis, S. N. (1983) Vertigo. In: Pacdiatric Otolaryngology (Eds. Bluestone, C. D. and Stool, S. E.) Ch. 11, Saunders Publishing. pp. 261–270.Google Scholar
Casselbrant, M. L., Black, F. O., Nashner, L., Panion, R. (1983) Vestibular function assessment in children with otitis media with effusion. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology Supplement, 107; 92: 46–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
editorial. (1977) Vertigo in children. British Medical Journal, 2: 1173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eviatar, L., Eviatar, A. (1977) Vertigo in children: Differential diagnosis and treatment. Pediatrics, 59, 6: 833–838.Google Scholar
Gates, G. A. (1980) Vertigo in children. Ear, Nose and Throat Journal, 59: 358–365.Google ScholarPubMed
Goycoolea, M. V., Muchow, D., Schachern, P. (1988) Experimental studies on round window structure: function and permeability. Laryngoscope Supplement, 44; 98:6(2): 1–20.Google Scholar
Harrison, M. S. (1962) Vertigo in childhood. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 76: 601–616.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kobrak, H. (1935) Influence of middle ear on labyrinthine pressure. Archives of Otolaryngology, 21: 547–560.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tjernstrom, O. (1974) Middle ear mechanics and alternobaric vertigo. Acta Otolaryngologica, 78: 376–384.Google Scholar