Serous otitis media and otitis media with effusion (OME)

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a very common disease in young children. Both paediatricians and otorhinolaryngologists are involved in its treatment. Young children as well as their parents are often unaware of the hearing loss resulting from the fluid-filled middle ear. However, once the diagnosis is made, the doctor is often urged to start some kind of treatment, although the rate of spontaneous recovery is very high. For about 3 months, a "wait-and-watch" approach is recommended if there is no delayed speech development or atrophy of the tympanic membrane. Of course, if there are symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy requiring surgery, this should be performed early because enlarged and infected adenoids play a major role in the development of OME. Further aspects of pathophysiology, clinical studies, diagnostics, and therapy are given in this review.