Surgical versus medical treatment of nasal polyps.

A randomized comparison of the usual surgical removal of nasal polyps versus systemic steroid treatment was performed in 53 patients. In all, continuous topical steroid treatment was given during the one year period of observation. In both groups the initial treatment resulted in a continuous increase in mean nasal expiratory peak flow as well as in the sense of smell; these two parameters showed a temporary statistically significant difference in favour of the medically treated group.

Beclomethasone nasal spray in the treatment of middle-ear effusion - a double-blind study.

The effect of a beclomethasone dipropionate nasal spray on middle ear effusion was tested in a double-blind study of drug vs placebo (vehicle). Seventy children, aged 4-14 years, sprayed each nostril twice daily for one month. Among them 35 received a daily dose of 400 micrograms of the beclomethasone.

The diagnosis of negative middle ear pressure in children. The accuracy of symptoms and signs assessed by tympanometry.

Over a period of one year, we studied 352 children at random in order to determine whether or not a diagnosis of negative middle ear pressure can be made reliably without using tympanometry. Each child was tested repeatedly by screening audiometry at 20 dB and by tympanometry, and was examined once by otoscopy. Information about upper respiratory tract infections, feelings of oppression in the ears, and the parents' opinion of the child's hearing ability were obtained from questionnaires.

The occurrence of negative middle ear pressure in children: an analysis of supposed associated factors.

This study analyzed the occurrence of negative middle ear pressure in various groups of children by comparing them with control groups. A screening procedure recording middle ear pressure and screening audiogram was performed several times throughout the year in an unselected group of 352 seven-year-old children. From about 4000 measurements of middle ear pressure an average value for each child was calculated.

The correlation between negative middle ear pressure and the corresponding conductive hearing loss in children. A 12-month study of 352 unselected 7-year-old children.

An epidemiological study of negative middle ear pressure in children made it possible to test its relationship to conductive hearing loss. About 350 children were subjected to a screening procedure recording audiogram and middle ear pressure five times during a 12-month period. Those children who failed to perceive just one tone or who had a middle ear pressure equal to or worse than -150 mmH2O in one or both ears were referred to the Hearing Clinic for conventional audiometry and middle ear pressure measurement each month.