Serous or mucoid effusion in the course of secretory otitis media: influence of ion transport modulation

Objective: Secretory otitis media is defined by a chronic effusion in the m iddle ear cavities, behind an intact tympanic membrane without acute infect ion. In the course of secretory otitis media, the effusion is sometimes thi ck (or mucoid) and other times thin (or serous). For several authors, these differences might be related to different inflammatory levels rather than to distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the modulation of ion transport by inflammation could ac count for the differences observed in the aspect of ME effusion. Methods: H ydrogen peroxide (H2O2), used as an inflammation model was tested on a midd le ear cell line (MESV) in culture. Results: Results show that low and high concentrations of H2O2 have opposite effects on ion (and then water) absor ption by the middle ear epithelium. Conclusion: the modulation of ion and w ater absorption by inflammation could modify the mucins concentration in th e effusion, and explain observed viscosity differences in the course of sec retory otitis media. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights rese rved.