Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify nasal and nasopharyngeal pathologies using rigid transnasal endoscopy and to investigate the possible relationship between these pathologies and otitis media.

METHODS: A total of 103 patients (55 males, 48 females; mean age 30.1 years; range 4 to 72 years) with various types of otitis media were compared with age and sex-matched 124 controls (56 males, 68 females; mean age 20.5 years; range 4 to 72 years). The clinical type of ear disease, and nasal and nasopharyngeal findings were obtained by rigid transnasal endoscopy. Nasal endoscopy was performed with 0 degree, 4 or 2.7 mm diameter rigid telescopes. The otoscopy was performed with operating microscopes. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s t test.

RESULTS: Edema at the nasopharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube and purulent secretion in nasopharynx were the most common findings in all patients with otitis media. Sinusitis was significantly higher in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) and suppurative chronic otitis media (COM). Septal deviation was only significantly higher in patients with COM. Pressure of adenoid tissue on tuba opening was more frequent in children with OME and inactive COM; however, it did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed a relationship between the type or form of the COM and nasopharynx and nasal pathologies. Suppurative forms of otitis media, in particular, may be significantly associated with infectious nasal and nasopharyngeal pathologies and edema of the Eustachian tube opening.