الفهرس 
Aim of the WorkOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 412 |  |  |
| | | from | 412 | | |
Abstract
Otitis media with effusion (OME) (= middle ear effusion = serous otitis media = secretory otitis media) is a common condition affecting most children, at least temporarily, in their early life.(1) It constitutes one of the major problems in pediatric otolaryngology. It is a condition characterized by accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, without the symptoms of acute infection.(2) It is the most common cause of hearing loss in such age; typically OME causes 20-30 dB conductive hearing loss in the middle frequencies.(3-7) This hearing deficit may result into language and behavioral changes, especially if starts in earlier age groups.(8,9)
The primary cause of OME has not yet been clarified. The development of negative pressure inside the middle ear cleft seems to be the main inducing mechanism. Accordingly, the treatment of the condition is mainly directed towards restoration of the normal aeration.(3) The mostly accepted regimen for the treatment of an established case of OME is to start with a conservative treatment that should continue for an appropriate duration. Patients who are not responding to such treatment are usually categorized for surgical interference. Surgery often involves; correction of any detectable primary cause, evacuation of the effusion, and initiation of a drum vent that hopefully aids to restore the middle ear cleft aeration.