L ’ ’ effusive otitis media is an extremely frequent middle ear pathology which may affect both adults and children.
L ’ the middle ear is one anatomical region large roughly like a dice game, appointed to direct and amplify the sound waves coming from the eardrum due to auditory ossicles. It is lined by mucous to protect and cleanse l ’ middle ear constantly produces small amounts of serum. L ’ the middle ear is completely isolated (except pathologies) from ’ external ear by the eardrum and is in communication with the air thanks to the auditory tube tube.
The tubes allow you to balance the pressure of middle ear ’ with that of the airway mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the vent air digestive tract.
To protect the ’ ear infections, the tuba is collapsed and then closed most of the time and opens up to every act of swallowing or compensating maneuvers.
In the event that the tuba is unable to open correctly, the serum accumulates in the middle ear ’ allagandolo: We speak of effusive otitis media.
If the amount of mucus is sparse the patient will feel a sensation of ear full (ear fullness) see-saw (that comes and goes), rattles but l ’ hearing is still good.
When the amount of mucus is to flood completely l ’ middle ear then the symptoms are more pronounced, l ’ hearing will begin to decline (conductive hearing loss), may be crackles. The mucus can exert pressure on the tympanic membrane causing intense pain generally does not.
The mucus that stagnates can encourage the growth of bacteria, If this occurs a ’ acute otitis media, characterized by a very intense pain.
Now lets look at the reasons that may justify a block of tuba.
This phenomenon often occurs after infection of upper airways: inflamed mucous membranes of the nasopharynx (where lead the auditory tube) swell and close the tube causing the problem.
Even bad ventilation of the nose secondary to rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, familial, nasal septum deviation, inferior turbinate hypertrophy, may cause an underActive function of tuba.
A ’ other cause, as already seen in detail in the ’ article dedicated to scuba diving, are the rapid pressure changes (diving, plane, funiviee, skiing …).
In children, the most common cause is mechanically blocking the mouth of adenoid hypertrophy ’ tuba.
Also a number of immunological disorders can cause this problem.
The causes of l ’ effusive otitis media are in most cases harmless but it is still possible that the tube be blocked by the presence of a malignant tumor (Carcinoma) of the nasopharynx, This type of cancer is not related to cigarette smoking and it can also develop in young subjects.
The diagnosis is very easy in otoscopy. The tympanic membrane is translucent and healthy it is possible to evaluate the health of middle ear ’. In mild cases you will see water planes levels, in those more serious you will see a complete flooding of middle ear ’ you possibly with extroversion of the membrane. It will also be possible to evaluate bacterial superinfection. The tympanogram and l ’ audiometric test can help in cases of doubt.
As we have seen among the causes, in a small percentage of patients the problem is caused by a serious medical condition (Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lymphomas, Autoimmune disorders). If the problem persists for more than 2 weeks is a specialist rating with fibroscopico examination to exclude the presence of growths.
Treatment depends on the cause and should be set after completing his exams.
