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Suggest Remedy For Ear Aches And Presence Of Fluid
Question: My 3.5 yr old male child has been complaining of ear ache for the last one month. Diagnosis says that there is an accumulation of fluid in both his ears, behind the drums. He has been on antibiotics for more than one month now. Once the course of antibiotics begin, he seems to feel a little better, but as soon as the course ends, within a day (or sometimes a few hours), the pain starts again. Doctors have suggested a process called Myringotomy, and have explained the entire process to me. My question to you is: what is the internationally accepted threshold (occurrence frequency, timeframe) to decide on Myringotomy versus taking the wait-and-watch approach with antibiotics? What are the risks associated with the Myringotomy process itself? (Or with the general anesthesia that will need to be administered?)
Brief Answer:
3 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that your child is having fluid behind intact ear drum.
Clinically it is known as Otitis media with effusion (fluid behind intact ear drum). occurs most commonly, in infants and children of preschool age.
Answers for your queries.
1. Decision of myringotomy can be taken
a. Otitis media with effusion > 3 months
b. Recurrent episodes of acute otitis media (more than 3 episodes in 6 months or more than 4 episodes in 12 months).
c. persistent hearing impairment, with hearing loss of at least 25dB.
Time frame can be decided by associated factors (hearing, speech and age).
2. Risks- infection, ear drum perforation, hearing loss, thickening of ear drum (tympansoclerosis) and anesthetic complications.
3. Infants or children always requires general anesthesia to do myringotomy.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
3 months.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns that your child is having fluid behind intact ear drum.
Clinically it is known as Otitis media with effusion (fluid behind intact ear drum). occurs most commonly, in infants and children of preschool age.
Answers for your queries.
1. Decision of myringotomy can be taken
a. Otitis media with effusion > 3 months
b. Recurrent episodes of acute otitis media (more than 3 episodes in 6 months or more than 4 episodes in 12 months).
c. persistent hearing impairment, with hearing loss of at least 25dB.
Time frame can be decided by associated factors (hearing, speech and age).
2. Risks- infection, ear drum perforation, hearing loss, thickening of ear drum (tympansoclerosis) and anesthetic complications.
3. Infants or children always requires general anesthesia to do myringotomy.
Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Wishing you good health.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
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