Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T18:12:09.119Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nature of spontaneous tympanic membrane perforation in acute otitis media in children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

G. Berger
G. Berger*
Affiliation:
Kfar Saba, Israel
*
Gilead Berger, M D, Department of Otolaryngology, Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel, 44281
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The study was undertaken to define the characteristics of spontaneous eardrum perforation in acute otitis media. Eighty (29.5 per cent) out of 271 children with acute otitis media had eardrums which perforated. An increased incidence of perforation was associated with a previous history of otitis media.

All perforations were small and limited exclusively to the pars tensa. In 85 per cent of the patients, the perforation was located in the anterior-inferior quadrant. It had smooth margins enabling free drainage of pus and was associated with a favourable clinical course. In the remaining 15 per cent of the cases, the perforation was located in the posterior-superior quandrant. It had a nipple-like shape with a tiny opening that did not allow pus to drain sufficiently from the middle ear.

The perforation closed in 94 per cent of the patients within one month. The healing process was gradual and following perforation closure, there was evidence of middle ear effusion for some time before normal aeration was regained.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 103 , Issue 12 , December 1989 , pp. 1150 - 1153
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Appelbaum, E. L., and Deutsch, E. C. (1986). An endoscopic method of tympanic membrane fluorescein angiography. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 95: 439–443.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ballenger, J. J. (1985). Diseases of the Ear, Nose and Throat. 13th Ed. Lea and Febiger: Philadelphia. p. 1130.Google Scholar
Ingvarsson, L. (1982). Acute otalgia in children—findings and diagnosis. Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica, 71: 705–710.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pukander, J. (1983) Clinical features of acute otitis media among children. Acta Otolaryngologica, 95: 117–122.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sadé, J., and Halevy, A. (1976). The natural history of chronic otitis media. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 90: 743–751.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schwartz, R. H. and Schwartz, D. M. (1980). Acute otitis media: Diagnosis and drug therapy. Drugs, 19: 107.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shambaugh, G. E. (1967). Surgery of the Ear. 2nd Ed. W. B. Saunders: Philadelphia and London, p. 196.Google Scholar
Van Cauwenberge, P. B., Declercq, G., and Kluyskens, P. M. (1986). The relationship between acute and secretory otitis media. In: Acute and secretory otitis media.Proceedings of the International Conference on Acute and Secretory Otitis Media, Part 1. (Sadé, J., ed.), pp. 77–82. Kugler Publications:Amsterdam.Google Scholar