Studies in otitis media: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh-University of Pittsburgh progress report--2004.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The present Progress Report has summarized the key otitis media clinical trials and laboratory studies conducted since 1969 by investigators at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh-University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA).

STUDY

DESIGN

Review.

METHODS

Included in the discussion are the following: 1) studies of the epidemiology and risk factors; 2) anatomy and pathology of the eustachian tube-middle ear from human temporal bone histopathological specimens; 3) physiology and pathophysiology of the eustachian tube-middle ear in humans and animal models; 4) pathogenesis; 5) otitis media in special populations (e.g., patients with cleft palate, Native Americans, patients with Down syndrome); 6) microbiology; 7) diagnosis; 8) outcomes of randomized clinical trials that evaluated efficacy of nonsurgical and surgical methods of treatment and prevention; 9) studies of certain complications and sequelae (e.g., effect of middle-ear effusion on hearing, early child development, and the vestibular system; chronic suppurative otitis media). Also included are relevant summary tables and 256 references.