What is the difference between serous otitis media and otitis media with effusion?
Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear space. It is also called serous or secretory otitis media (SOM). This fluid may accumulate in the middle ear as a result of a cold, sore throat or upper respiratory infection.
What causes serous otitis media?
Acute serous otitis media is usually caused by a blockage in the Eustachian tube as a result of an upper respiratory infection or an allergic attack. Doctors may prescribe medications to kill the bacteria (antibiotics), or antihistamines and decongestants to control allergies.
What is the difference between serous and suppurative otitis media?
Acute suppurative otitis media is distinguished from secretory (serous) otitis media by the presence of purulent fluid in the middle ear. Pathogenic bacteria may be cultured from the majority of needle aspirates of this purulent fluid.
Which is a characteristic of serous otitis media?
Middle Ear Serous otitis media is characterized clinically by ear discomfort, a sensation of fullness in the ear, a conductive hearing loss, and occasional tinnitus. This complication usually resolves with the administration of nasal decongestants but sometimes necessitates a myringotomy.
What is the treatment for serous otitis media?
Etiologic treatment of serous otitis rests on restoration of satisfactory nasal ventilation (education to improve nose-blowing, adenoidectomy), improvement of eustachian tube patency (corticosteroids), and modification of the characteristics of middle ear secretions (mucolytic agents and mucomodifying agents).
Does serous otitis media need antibiotics?
Otitis media with effusion is defined as middle ear effusion in the absence of acute symptoms. Antibiotics, decongestants, or nasal steroids do not hasten the clearance of middle ear fluid and are not recommended.
Is serous otitis media painful?
Chronic serous otitis media (CSOM) is not painful. Noninfectious fluid found in CSOM can persist in the middle ear for up to 12 weeks. The peak incidence of AOM occurs in children under the age of 2 and is more common in boys than in girls.
Is serous otitis media serious?
Serous otitis media usually will last for around two to 12 weeks. If the fluid in the middle ear persists longer than three months, your healthcare provider will usually want to treat the fluid more aggressively. 1 Failure to correct prolonged fluid in the ear may result in: School performance problems.
How do you fix serous otitis media?
How is a middle ear infection treated?
- Antibiotics, taken by mouth or as ear drops.
- Medication for pain.
- Decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroids.
- For chronic otitis media with effusion, an ear tube (tympanostomy tube) may help (see below)
How is serous otitis treated?
What is serous otitis media?
“Serous” refers to the type of fluid that is collecting inside the middle ear. Serous fluid is usually straw (yellowish) colored liquid or mucus. In this case, there is a eustachian tube dysfunction and the auditory tube is unable to drain the fluid as it normally should. 1 Risk Factors for Serous Otitis Media
What is the differential diagnosis of otitis media?
The differential diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM) includes otitis media with effusion (OME), chronic otitis media (COM), external otitis (otitis externa), herpes zoster infection … …
How is fluid in the ear diagnosed with serous otitis media?
Diagnosing Serous Otitis Media. However pneumatic otoscopy is more accurate in diagnosing fluid in the ear. During pneumatic otoscopy, the doctor will use an otoscope that has a bulb syringe attached, which allows them to evaluate how well the eardrum reacts to the pressure change when the bulb syringe is squeezed.
How long does it take for serous otitis media to heal?
Serous otitis media will usually resolve without any intervention. If the fluid behind the eardrum is not resolved within three to six months, it is generally best for your doctor to remove the fluid by surgically placing an ear tube .