Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Break down the percentage of cases of chronic otitis media with effu-sion (OME) that yield bacterial growth on culture and which bacteria they yield. 2. Describe the effect of antibiotic treatment for acute OM on long-term resolution of middle ear effusion. 3. List the risk factors that increase the duration of OME and the risk of chronic OME. 4. Break down the percentage of children who experience hearing loss following chronic OME. 5. Describe the child who requires referral to an otolayrngologist for myringotomy with insertion of ventilation tubes. Definition Otitis media is a common childhood disease that accounts for nearly $