MIDDLE-EAR DISEASE IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

A prospective cross-sectional study was done to investigate the involv ement of middle ear disease in cystic fibrosis. Eighty-eight patients with cystic fibrosis, aged 1-28 years, were examined during the winter period 1995-1996 at regular follow-up visits to detect history and pr evalence of inflammatory and infectious middle ear disease by question naire, otoscopy and tympanometry. One third of the patients had a hist ory of otitis media, but only in 9% did this occur more than once. Hea ring problems were recorded in 8%, but this was severe in only one cas e. Otoscopy showed 141 normal tympanic membranes, 17 times retraction: 15 times otitis media with effusion, once an acute otitis media in bo th ears. Only one patient had a grommet in one ear. More than 70% of t he tympanograms were normal. A flat curve? type B according to Jerger' s classification: was found in 11 ears. The youngest age group had a h igher prevalence of abnormal findings on otoscopy and tympanometry, wh ile patients who had undergone paranasal sinus surgery had less freque ntly abnormal findings. In conclusion, no evidence that cystic fibrosi s is associated with increased prevalence of middle ear disease has be en found in this prospective cross-sectional study. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.