Aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life

Abstract

Objectives: To gather and analyse information concerning the aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adults. Method: A review of the English language literature from 1970 to the present was conducted. Results: The available evidence suggests that otitis media with effusion in adult life is best viewed as a syndrome with a number of causes, including: infiltration of the eustachian tube by nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other local malignancies; changes in the middle ear and eustachian tube induced by radiotherapy; and systemic disease. Conclusion: There is now a body of evidence specifically related to the aetiology and pathology of otitis media with effusion in adult life. However, further research is required to fill in the gaps in our knowledge and understanding of this condition.