Association of cytokine gene polymorphisms and risk factors with otitis media proneness in children.

Unlabelled: In order to assess the association between gene polymorphisms and otitis media (OM) proneness, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) -308, interleukin (IL) 10-1082 and -3575, IL6 -597, IL2 -330, and CD14 -159 genotyping was performed in 58 OM-prone children and 85 controls who were exposed to similar number and frequency of environmental and host risk factors. The frequencies of genotypes (wild type vs. genotypes containing at least one polymorphic allele) were not significantly different between groups, except for IL10 -1082.

Pars tensa retractions without cholesteatoma in children: predictors for ossicular chain destruction, air conduction thresholds, and postoperative retractions.

Objective: Determine predictive values of preoperative stages of pars tensa retractions, coexisting attic retraction and preoperative air conduction for ossicular destruction in isolated and combined pars tensa retraction, and predictors for successful tympanic grafts after surgery.

Study Design: Prospective case series study.

Settings: Tertiary referral center.