Impact of advancement of otitis media with effusion on vestibular organ condition in children

Abstract Introduction Otitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common otorhinolaryngological (ENT) disorders in childhood. This study aimed to investigate the vestibular organ condition in children with OME and whether the presence of vestibular disturbances depends on the advancement of OME. Materials and Methods Subjects were 53 children between 4 and 14 years old with bilateral OME and treated with middle ear drainage. The study group was divided into two subgroups according to the advancement of the disease. The participants were submitted to an evaluation consisting of anamnesis, ENT evaluation, static posturography, and electronystagmography (ENG). Examination was performed before surgery and one month after drainage. Results The posturography revealed the presence of disturbances before and after ME drainage. After drainage, the assessed parameters improved; they still, however, remained elevated. Disturbances in posturography, both before and after drainage, were expressed more fully in the subgroup with stage II compared to the stage I subgroup, especially before drainage. The analysis of the ENG confirmed that the stage of clinical advancement affects the severity of vestibular disorders in children with OME. Greater vestibular disorders in the form of the presence of spontaneous nystagmus and position were more frequent in the subgroup with stage II. Conclusions ME effusion affects the vestibular organ in children with OME. The degree of vestibular disturbances depends on the clinical advancement of the disease. The assessment of the vestibular organ condition is beneficial and should be included in the OME diagnostic and for qualification for surgical treatment.