Sinonasal and nasopharyngeal pathology in chronic otitis media patients: a prospective study

Background and Aim: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) is a persistent inflammation that causes irreversible changes of the mucosa in the middle ear and mastoid cavity. The present study was conducted at ENT department of Tertiary care institute of Gujarat, India involving 130 patients suffering from chronic otitis media. The study also aimed to compare the microbiological flora of the diseased ear and the nasopharynx. Material and Methods: Present prospective study conducted at department of Otorhinolaryngology Tertiary care institute of Gujarat. Total 130 patients having a clinical diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media were invited to participate in the study and an informed consent was sought. Clinical presentation including complaints related with ear and nose were noted. Bilateral ear examination was done using Valsalva maneuver. Pure tone audiometry was also performed on all the cases to assess the effect on hearing status. The nasopharyngeal swab was collected by a sterile technique to avoid commensal growth. Results: The most common presenting nasal complaint was nasal obstruction, followed by postnasal drip, nasal discharge, sneezing, snoring, headache, around 25% of patients had no nasal symptoms. The comparative study of ear and nasopharyngeal swab showed statistically significant correlation. 80 % of ear swabs and 92% of nasopharyngeal swabs were found to be sterile. Conclusion: Chronic otitis media is a disease with multiple factors and different possible aetiologies. The concept of a relationship between sinonasal and nasopharyngeal pathologies and chronic otitis media has been supported by the present study.