M Wolf1, A Primov-Fever, I Barshack, J Kronenberg. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Chaim-Sheba Medical Center, 52621 Tel-Hashomer, Israel. wolfm@post.tau.ac.il
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Granular myringitis (GM), described mainly in adults, is considered a rare infection of the tympanic membrane (TM) with possible involvement of the external ear canal. The study was aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the disease in children. MATERIAL: A 2-year prospective study on all children with GM in a primary otolaryngology practice affiliated to a tertiary academic medical center. GM was defined by de-epithelization of the TM, granulation-tissue formation and discharge. Children with otitis media were excluded. Treatment included topical application of ear drops, caustic solution in unresponsive cases and mechanical removal of polypoidal granulations. RESULTS: Nine children, five boys and four girls, aged 3--16 (mean=11.5 years) were diagnosed as GM. Mainly plugged ear (6) and aural discharge (5) presented GM. Only a circumscribed area of the pars tensa was involved. GM was expressed either by a tiny shallow lesion (6) or by raised polypoidal masses (3). All children recovered within 2--11 weeks (mean 3.6). Recurrent infection was noted twice in one child. Small dry perforation of the TM was noted in two children. Histopathological studies revealed non specific acute and chronic inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Granular myringitis must be recognized in children. GM has a benign course responding to topical treatment. It may be misidentified as persistent chronic suppurative otitis media with polyps protruding through the TM. Although perforation of the TM may develop in the course of the disease, the middle ear remained intact.
BACKGROUND:Granular myringitis (GM), described mainly in adults, is considered a rare infection of the tympanic membrane (TM) with possible involvement of the external ear canal. The study was aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the disease in children. MATERIAL: A 2-year prospective study on all children with GM in a primary otolaryngology practice affiliated to a tertiary academic medical center. GM was defined by de-epithelization of the TM, granulation-tissue formation and discharge. Children with otitis media were excluded. Treatment included topical application of ear drops, caustic solution in unresponsive cases and mechanical removal of polypoidal granulations. RESULTS: Nine children, five boys and four girls, aged 3--16 (mean=11.5 years) were diagnosed as GM. Mainly plugged ear (6) and aural discharge (5) presented GM. Only a circumscribed area of the pars tensa was involved. GM was expressed either by a tiny shallow lesion (6) or by raised polypoidal masses (3). All children recovered within 2--11 weeks (mean 3.6). Recurrent infection was noted twice in one child. Small dry perforation of the TM was noted in two children. Histopathological studies revealed non specific acute and chronic inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS:Granular myringitis must be recognized in children. GM has a benign course responding to topical treatment. It may be misidentified as persistent chronic suppurative otitis media with polyps protruding through the TM. Although perforation of the TM may develop in the course of the disease, the middle ear remained intact.