The effect of an anti-allergic, nasal decongestant combination ('Dimotapp') and sodium cromoglycate nose drops on the histamine content of adenoids, middle ear fluid and nasopharyngeal secretions of children with secretory otitis media.

Twenty-four children with secretory otitis media awaiting operation for removal of adenoids were studied to investigate the effects of an antihistamine/nasal decongestant combination ('Dimotapp') and sodium cromoglycate nasal drops on the histamine content of adenoids, middle ear fluid and nasopharyngeal secretions. The children were divided into three age and sex matched groups, one of which acted as a control, and received recommended therapeutic doses of either drug for 7 days immediately prior to operation. The results showed that total adenoid histamine content of both drug groups was significantly raised (p less than 0.05) when compared to the control group. Where present, neither 'Dimotapp' nor sodium cromoglycate had any effect on the mean free histamine in the middle ear fluid. In the sodium cromoglycate group the mean free histamine content of the nasopharyngeal secretions was significantly higher than in the control or 'Dimotapp' groups.