Why are NICU infants at risk for chronic otitis media with effusion?

Newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and even later have a high incidence of otitis media with effusion (OME). It is unclear which aspects play a role in the incidence of chronic OME during infancy. In order to investigate the effect of nasally-placed tubes, cranial growth, immune system, and neuromotor function on the occurrence of chronic OME, 83 NICU patients were observed prospectively for middle ear status.

Otoscopic findings in relation to tympanometry during infancy.

To determine the value of different otoscopic findings in diagnosing otitis media with effusion, 3,780 otological examinations of 250 infants at ages 0-2 years were compared with tympanometric findings. Otoscopy was performed by an experienced otologist and research-audiologist prior to tympanometry. The following success rates for these procedures were found: otoscopy, 85-91%, tympanometry, 74-94%, either otoscopy or tympanometry, 89-99%.

Analysis of three-dimensional architecture in Feulgen-stained fine-needle liver aspirates, using confocal scanning laser microscopy.

Early and accurate diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver nodules using fine-needle aspiration biopsy can still pose difficulties, particularly in cirrhotic nodules containing dysplastic hepatocytes. Loss of architectural clues, which may aid diagnosis, can be overcome by using confocal scanning laser microscopic examination of tissue fragments in smears without the need for further processing of slides. The basic fuchsin of the Feulgen method resulted in excellent confocal images without the need for further processing of the smears.

Predictive value of parent-reported symptoms in the assessment of otitis media with effusion during infancy.

Objective: To determine the predictive value of parent-reported symptoms in the assessment of otitis media with effusion (OME) during infancy.

Design: Prospective longitudinal study that compared the results of questionnaire-based parental reports with the state of the middle ear assessed by otoscopy and tympanometry at 3-month intervals from birth to the age of 2 years.

Setting: Outpatient Department, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Risk factors of otitis media with effusion during infancy.

Unlabelled: Associations of possible risk factors with prevalence of otitis media with effusion (OME) were prospectively studied in a cohort of 250 infants, aged 0-2 years. In order to determine OME, otoscopy and tympanometry were performed at 3-monthly intervals beginning at term date. Eighteen epidemiologically relevant features were inventoried by means of standardized questionnaires.