Prognosis of secretory otitis media in relation to viscoelasticity of effusions in children.

Both elasticity (G') and viscosity (eta') of middle ear effusions (MEEs) were measured with an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer and compared with continuance of fluid retention in 93 ears of 69 children with otitis media with effusion (OME). The ears were divided into four groups according to the viscoelastic properties of MEEs at the first myringotomy. Eight-four percent of the ears in group 2 were free from effusion within 4 months; the difference from the other groups was statistically significant. These results indicate that the mucociliary clearance function plays an important role in the process of recovery from OME.