Uncommon and unusual complications of otitis media with effusion

Some complications of otitis media with effusion (OME) are not obvious and not always associated with otitis media by physicians and patients; the aut hors propose to call them 'unusual complications', although they may be qui te frequent. Complications such as dizziness, clumsiness and behavioural di sorders are classified in this group. Other complications are rare and unco mmon such as sensorineural hearing loss and cholesteatoma. Some of these se quelae are structural, others more functional. The impact of OME on complex functions such as language, learning or behaviour is still controversial b ut seems to have been underestimated until now. Not only withholding treatm ent in children with OME may cause complications but also the treatment of OME may lead to sequelae, although serious side effects caused by the treat ment of OME are rare. In this literature review, the epidemiology, importan ce and diagnosis of the uncommon and unusual complications of OME will be d iscussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.