Etiology of otitis media with effusion: Antihistamines—decongestsnts

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Abstract
In an attempt to find a causative factor for the increased incidence of otitis media with effusion, a detailed study of 50 cases was conducted. This study included 50 cases of non-purulent otitis media with effusion requiring ventilating tubes without tonsilloadenoid pathology. A study of these cases revealed an interesting pattern which suggests that antihistamines and decongestants may be causative or precipitating factors in the etiology of otitis media with effusion. A pilot study on the effects of these drugs on mucociliary activity was conducted and revealed further evidence that antihistamines and decongestants interfere with normal mucociliary activity which probably is a factor in abnormal Eustachian tube physiology.