A Novel Classification and Staging System to Address Prognosis and Treatment Decisions for Patients with Granular Myringitis

Abstract

Objective Does the severity of disease influence outcomes in patients with granular myringitis (GM)? There is no classification and staging system on the severity of GM although it is not a very rare disorder. The aim of this study was to propose a novel classification and staging system for the patients with GM according to the type, extent, and sequelae of the lesions so that indications of various modalities of treatments for the different classes of the disease and their outcomes could be studied. Methods Data were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Relevant articles were also sought by a hand search review of references, books, and journals. The databases were searched using the keywords “granular myringitis,” “granular otitis externa,” “myringitis granulosa,” and “myringitis.” Data from the relevant articles were extracted using a pre-defined data-extraction form. Results After reviewing the various otoscopic findings, the study proposes a clinical and surgical GAS classification and staging of granular myringitis, which is based on the type of G ranulating lesion, A rea of involvement, and S equelae of the disease. On the basis of GAS classification, patients with GM are grouped into four stages that indicate the overall severity and prognosis of the disease and can be used for selecting various modalities of treatment and their outcomes. Conclusion The GAS classification is simple, descriptive, and comprehensive and would provide practical basis for the indications of different modalities of management and outcomes research in patients with GM. This would facilitate in knowing the prognostic impact of extent of granulations. This study has a 1a type level of evidence.