Effects of otitis media with effusion on the vestibular system in children

Middle ear effusion has been considered the most common cause of vestibular disturbance in children. However, there have been only a few studies on ve stibular disturbance in children with otitis media with effusion. We studie d the vestibular systems of 30 children with otitis media with effusion age d 8 to 13 years and compared the results with 15 age- and sex-matched contr ols. A questionnaire relating to vestibular disturbance was given to patien ts and their parents. Spontaneous nystagmus and positional nystagmus were r ecorded by electronystagmography as diagnostic tests of the vestibular syst em. Romberg's and past-pointing tests were performed on children with otiti s media with effusion and controls. After vestibular tests were completed, myringotomy was performed, and a ventilation tube was inserted. The questio nnaire and the vestibular tests were repeated after the operation and durin g the first month after surgery. Our study showed that there was a history of vestibular disturbance in 33% of children with otitis media with effusio n. Electronystagmography and Romberg's test findings demonstrated that 33% of the children had vestibular dysfunction (p < 0.05). After myringotomy wi th ventilation tube insertion, vestibular test results returned to normal, and symptoms related to vestibular disturbance improved. These findings con firm the assumption that middle ear effusion may affect the vestibular syst em, which can be resolved after myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion .