Inflammation of the middle ear accompanied by accumulation of fluid without the symptoms and signs of acute inflammation

Aetiology

• Can occur at any age but most common in children
• Association with Eustachian tube dysfunction or obstruction
• Most common 2-8 years
• Most common organisms include strep. pneumonae, H. infuenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis

Risk factors

• Day care
• Older siblings
• Smoking household
• Recurrent URTI
• Craniofacial/genetic abnormalities
• Prematurity
• Immunodeficiency

Causes in adults

• Rhinosinusitis
• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma or lymphoma

Clinical features

Symptoms

• Often asymptomatic