Effects of middle ear effusion on the vestibular system in children

Vertigo and dizziness are not common in childhood, but are probably present more often than was formerly thought. These symptoms caused mainly by otit is media and middle ear effusion, two of the most common diseases in childr en, have been neglected for a long time, both in the literature and in prac tice, until recently. The purpose of this study was to determine objectivel y the incidence of balance-related symptoms in children with long-lasting m iddle ear effusion and to discover whether these symptoms resolve after the insertion of ventilation tubes. One hundred thirty-six children, ages 4 to 9 years, were given electronystagmographic tests and the Bruininks-Oserets ky tests for motor proficiency before and after tube ventilation of the mid dle ear. The results were compared with those in 74 healthy children with n o history of middle ear diseases. Pathologic findings were found in 58% of the children with chronic middle ear effusion, as compared with only 4% of the control group. The symptoms and signs of balance disturbances resolved in 96% of the children after ventilation tube insertion. The results of thi s study indicate that balance-related symptoms often encountered in young c hildren may result from chronic middle ear effusion and that these symptoms will resolve after evacuation of the effusion and ventilation of the middl e ear.