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Effectiveness of corticosteroids in otitis media with effusion: an experimental study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2007

H Yaman*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
K Ozturk
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
Y Uyar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
M Gurbilek
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry, Meram Medical Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Huseyin Yaman, Selcuk Universitesi, Meram Tip Fakultesi, Kulak Burun Bogaz Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, 42080 Meram, Konya, Turkey. Fax: +90 332 2236181 E-mail: hyaman1975@yahoo.com

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the dose-related effectiveness of corticosteroids in the management of otitis media with effusion, by using the objective assessment techniques of tympanometry and cytokine measurement.

Materials and methods:

The eustachian tubes of 42 male rats were obstructed. Thirty-six subjects with effusion were randomly divided into three equal groups: controls; 0.5 mg/kg/day corticosteroid; and 1 mg/kg/day corticosteroid. Concentrations of interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α in the middle-ear effusions were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

An effusion occurred on the 14th post-operative day and was present on the 30th post-operative day in the control group. Otomicroscopic examination and tympanometric measurement showed an improvement in the intervention groups. There was a significant difference between both intervention groups and the control group for both interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α concentrations (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the 0.5 mg/kg and the 1 mg/kg corticosteroid groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

The study confirmed a short term beneficial effect of systemic steroids on resolution of otitis media with effusion in a rat model. Our results support the theory that corticosteroids significantly decrease concentrations of both interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α. In our model, the 0.5 mg/kg corticosteroid dose was as effective as the 1 mg/kg corticosteroid dose. Further studies should be carried out to determine the optimal dose and duration of corticosteroids in the treatment of otitis media with effusion.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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Footnotes

Presented at the XXVIIIth Congress of the Turkish National Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 21–26 May 2005, Antalya, Turkey.

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