Secretory otitis media (SOM), also known as serous otitis media or glue ear, is a non-purulent inflammation of the middle ear caused by an accumulation of fluid. It most commonly affects school-aged children between 3-8 years old. The pathogenesis involves malfunction of the Eustachian tube, which fails to ventilate and drain the middle ear, as well as increased secretory activity of the middle ear mucosa. Symptoms include hearing loss, delayed speech development, and mild ear aches. Treatment involves medical management with decongestants and antibiotics or surgical procedures like myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion to drain the fluid. Complications can include atelectasis, oss

1. Secretory Otitis Media
Dr. Mohammed Shafeeq.

2. SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA
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Synonyms –
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Serous Otitis Media/
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Mucoid Otitis Media/
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Otitis media with effusion/
'GLUE EAR'
Hippocrates in 450 BC

3. SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA
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It is an insidious onset inflammation of
the middle ear characterized by
accumulation of non-purulent effusion in
the middle ear cleft
Incidence –
Most commonly seen in school going
children (3-8yrs age group)

4. SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA
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PATHOGENESIS –
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Malfunctioning of Eustachian Tube
Increased secretory activity of middle ear
mucosa

5. ●
ET dysfunction
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Politzer in 1867
Eustachian tube fails to aerate middle ear
and also unable to drain secretions due to
functional ET obstruction (decreased tubal
stiffness/inefficient opening mechanism.
Results in inadequate ventilation of middle
ear with resulting negative middle ear
pressure

6. ●
Increased secretory activity of middle
ear mucosa –
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Brieger in 1914
As a result of inflammatory response –
hypertrophy of middle ear mucosa –
hyperplasia of mucous glands – Increased
secretions

7. ●
ETIOLOGY –
ET dysfunction : Adenoid hypertrophy,
Chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, Chronic tonsillitis/
Benign/Malignant tumours of oropharynx,
palatal defects
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Allergy
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Unresolved AOM
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Viral infections

8. ●
MICROBIOLOGY Bacteria – S. pneumoniae, H. Influenzae (60%)
Others – Staph. aureus, B. catarrhalis, group A
Streptococcus.
Virus – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

9. ●
SYMPTOMS –
Hearing Loss
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Delayed & Defective speech
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Mild ear aches

10. ●
SIGNS Otoscopy:
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Severely retracted TM with foreshortening
of HOM / reduced TM mobility
TM may be dull/opaque and may have an
amber hue
Thin leash of blood vessels along HOM/
periphery of TM
Fluid level/ air bubbles may be seen
Severe cases, middle ear fluid –
purplish/blue - haemorrhage

11. INVESTIGATIONS –
Audiometry : CHL 20-40 dB,
may be assoc. with SNHL
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Impedance audiometry : objective test,
presence of fluids – reduced compliance/
flat curve with shift to negative side
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X-ray mastoids – may show clouding of air
cells due to fluid

12. TREATMENT ●
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Aim – removal of fluid/ prevention of
recurrence
MEDICAL:
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Decongestants – topical/systemic
Anti allergic measures –
antihistamines/steroids
Antibiotics – Amoxicillin, AmoxicillinClavulanate (30-40mg/kg/day in 3 divided
doses) / Cefixime (8-10mg/kg/day in 2
divided doses)
Middle ear aeration – Valsalva manoeuvre/
Politzerisation/ ET catheterisation

13. ●
SURGICAL –
Myringotomy & aspiration of fluid
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Ventilation tube/Grommet insertion
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Surgical treatment of causative factor
(adenoidectomy / tonsillectomy)
Myringotomy with grommet insertion with/without
adenoidectomy has become ultimate treatment in
chronic SOM.
Indications for surgery in SOM :
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Chronic effusion more than 3 months
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CHL > 15 db
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Nasopharyngeal neoplasms for which RT may
be necessary

14. MYRINGOTOMY It is a procedure in which incision is made on TM
for purpose of draining suppurative/non
suppurative effusion of middle ear and/or provide
aeration in case of ET dysfunction by inserting
ventilation tube (grommet)
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STEPS:
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Pt put under microscope, ear canal cleared of
debri/wax
Using myringotome small radial incision made
on postero inferior / antero inferior quadrant of
TM, and effusion is sucked out
If aspirate is thick/glue like two incisions are
made – anteroinferior & antero superior
quadrants of TM – 'Beer can principle'
Ventilation tube is inserted

15. ●
Myringotomy – Post OP care :
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In SOM wad of cotton is left for 24-48hrs
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TM incision heals rapidly
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No water entry for atleast 1 week
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If grommet inserted prevent water entry as
long as grommet in position
Complications –
Injury to IS jt
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Injury to jugular bulb
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Middle ear infection

16. COMPLICATIONS ●
Atelectasis of middle ear
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Ossicular necrosis
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Tympanosclerosis
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Retraction pockets & Cholesteatoma
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Cholesterol granuloma

17. Thank You