INTRATYMPANIC STEROID INJECTION IN THE TREATMENT OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

*Dayana Khalouf, Fayez Al Alouny and Yasser Ali

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ABSTRACT

Study Background: Otitis Media with effusion is a common problem, especially in children, resulting from the
poor function of the Eustachian tube. It is associated with conductive hearing loss and tinnitus, and it is the most
common cause of hearing deficiencies in children, which negatively affects their linguistic and social development.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Intratympanic steroid injection as a new therapeutic approach for
Otitis Media with effusion. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study, coupled with a control
group. The number of patients reviewed was 30 (60 ears), of which 56 ears met the criteria for inclusion and
exclusion, as 4 ears were intact. They were divided into two groups according to a random distribution schedule:
the first group (A) received budesonide injections into the tympanum, and the second group (B) had ventilation
tubes installed. Along with the required surgical procedure for each patient. The first group received injections four
consecutive times over four weeks. Patients were evaluated based on the results of audiometry, impedance, and
complications after more than four months. Results: The degree of hearing improvement was better in the group
that received the injections (P-value = 0.002), and the postoperative complications were lower, but the possibility
of recurrence was higher (P-value = 0.0001). Conclusions: Intratympanic Steroid injection are safe and rapid
intervention that benefits the treatment of otitis media with effusion, but there is a possibility of recurrence.

Keywords: Otitis Media with effusion, Intratympanic steroid injection, Budesonide.