Study of 212 cases with chronic otitis media in referral patients to Tehran Amir Aalam hospital during the first half of 1380 (2001)

Otitis media is among the common infections in children. Over 80% of 1-6 years old children are infected with acute bacterial otitis media and despite the widespread using antibiotics for its treatment too much infectious complications are seen in these patients. The purpose of this study was to study chronic otitis media. This study was a descriptive study by using patients, files clinical manifesation, treatment method and etiology of all cases with chronic otitis media referred to Tehran Amir Aalam hospital were studied. Results showed that 212 patients with chronic otitis media referred to Amir Aalam hospital during the first half of 1380 (2001). Majority of the patients were at adult age and male to famale ratio was same. The chief complaints were secretion from ear (115 cases – 54%), hearing loss (55 cases – 26%). Other symptoms were headache, nausea, chill, and fever. Surgical reports of the patients showed central and subtotal perforation in 120(57%) cholesteatoma in 82(39%) and perforation of marginal and posteriosuperior in 80 (38%) of the cases. The rest included polyp, granulation tissue adhesive OM, and congenital cholesteatoma. The post operation reports showed that more than 76% of the patients had ear bon chain damage. Results of this study showed that the chronic otitis media in Iran is detected at adult age, and incomplete treatment or lack of uneffective treatment in childhood acute otitis media may contribute to majority of cases in adulthood age.