Tympanometry in Three-Year-Old Children

Abstract

The operative findings in a homogeneous, preoperatively followed population of 46 3- to 4-year-old children with middle ear effusion treated by adenotomy and paracentesis were correlated with the results of pre- and postoperative tympanometry. Factors of prognostic value were only the immediate type of tympanogram and the quantity of the middle ear effusion, not its viscosity. The combination of the determinative factors divided the material into four groups showing a different course through a 6-month postoperative follow-up. A flat tympanogram and impacted fluid spelt the poorest prognosis, with about 60% recurrences. The influence of the results upon a differentiated treatment of secretory otitis media in the younger age groups is outlined.

The effect of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on the intra-tympanic pressure

“…The best return to normal tympanograms was seen if the middle ear was air containing independently of the initial tympanogram finding. In this respect our study is in accordance with the observation of Fiellau-Nikolajsen and Lous (1979) of the favorable effect of adenoidectomy on the function of the Eustachian tube. However, unlike Fiellau-Nikolajsen and Lous (1979), we also observed that the size of the adenoids extending beyond the level of the tube orifices caused a statistically very significantly (p<0.001) higher negative pressure (-94.6 mmH 2 O) in the middle ear, as compared with small adenoids (-45.9 mmH 2 O).…”

“…In their follow-up study of adenoidectomies of SOM ears, Fiellau-Nikolajsen and Lous (1979) found that if the pre-operative tympanogram showed type B (flat curve) and the middle ear contained secretion at the time of the operation, more than 50 per cent still showed a tympanogram of type B three months after adenoidectomy. The best return to normal tympanograms was seen if the middle ear was air containing independently of the initial tympanogram finding.…”

Climatic and Racial Factors Related to the Aetiology of Secretory Otitis media

“…A prevalence of secre tory otitis of 16.2% was observed among children of 3 years [1], 14% among those of 4 years [2], and 4.2% among those of 7 and 8 years [3]. The annual incidence is higher among 2-year-olds, with type B tympanograms rising from 54 [4] to 80% [5] and decreasing at 4 and 5 years to 59 and 40%, respectively [2,5], As tables 1 and 11 show, the prevalence of secretory and chronic otitis was in both cases far higher among Gypsy children than among whites, both as a whole and according to age groups (p < 0.001).…”

A Prospective Epidemiological Study of Secretory Otitis media in Young Children Related to the Indoor Environment

“…Often the main subject of the article is not the sex distribution of SOM. In a prospective epidemiological study Fiellau-Nikolajsen and Lous [9] found no differ ence in the incidence according to sex in 3-year-old children, but stated that the girls are more likely to recover without long-lasting SOM. In children below 12 months Tos et al [10] have found that boys more often have SOM, but in 2-year-old children there were no differences [11].…”