Myringoplasty for Eosinophilic Otitis Media.

OBJECTIVE

Surgical intervention of eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) has been considered contraindicated because middle ear surgery is associated with a risk of deafness. Myringoplasty is believed to be less invasive. Therefore, we analyzed the surgical results of myringoplasty for perforated eardrums in patients with EOM treated by biological drugs (biologics).

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS: Nine ears of seven patients with EOM with eardrum perforation associated with bronchial asthma were treated with add-on biologics; myringoplasty was then performed. The controls comprised 17 ears of 11 patients with EOM treated by myringoplasty without biologics.

INTERVENTIONS: The EOM status of each patient of both groups was assessed using severity scores, hearing acuity, and temporal bone computed tomography scores.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative changes in severity scores and hearing acuity, postoperative closure of the perforation, and relapse of EOM.

RESULTS

Severity scores significantly decreased after the use of biologics but did not change after myringoplasty. One patient developed postoperative relapse of middle ear effusion (MEE); in the control group, however, 10 ears developed recurrence of MEE. Significant improvement of the air conduction hearing level was obtained in the biologics group. No patients showed deterioration of the bone conduction hearing level.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report to describe successful surgical interventions with add-on biologics for patients with EOM. In the era of biologics, surgical interventions such as myringoplasty will be indicated to improve hearing and to avoid recurrence of MEE in patients with EOM with perforated eardrums, with the use of biologics.