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Introduction Otitis media with effusion is the fluid in the middle ear with no signs or symptoms of acute ear infection. Objective This study aims to research the frequency of serous otitis media in patients referred to the pediatric clinic between 3–16 years of age without any active ear, nose, and throat complaints. Methods This study included 589 children patients (280 boys, 309 girls; mean age: 9.42; range 3–16) who were administered to the pediatric clinic without otolaryngologic complaints. Patients underwent examination with flexible nasopharyngoscopy for adenoid hypertrophy. An otorhinolaryngologist examined all children on both ears using an otoscope and tested with tympanometry. We used tympanometry results to diagnose SOM. Results The study included 589 patients that underwent fiber optic examination of the nasopharynx with an endoscope. Adenoid vegetation was present in 58 patients (9.8%) and was not detected in 531 patients (90.2%). We found serous otitis media in 94 (15.9%) patients. We obtained Type A tympanogram in 47 (81%) of 58 patients with adenoid vegetation, 6 (10.3%) Type B, and 5 (8.6%) Type C. When comparing 58 patients with adenoid vegetation with 538 patients without adenoid vegetation for serous otitis media, the frequency was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion We believe that in children without any ear, nose, and throat complaints, it is possible to detect serous otitis media with adenoid vegetation. Thus, pediatric patients should undergo screening at regular intervals.

IntroductionOtoacariasis is a rare infestation of the ear canal, which affects the quality of life especially in rural areas. Different types of ticks and mites may cause otoacariasis. Although treatment of otoacariasis is simple, diseases transmitted through ticks and mites should be considered during diagnosis and treatment. Both local and systemic signs and symptoms of such diseases should be followed up.A literature review was conducted in PubMed using the following terms: “otoacariasis,” “ticks,” “mites,” and “outer ear canal infestations.” Demographic, radiologic, and treatment options were discussed. Treatment hints and pitfalls were also discussed with the literature review.ConclusionIn this paper, we describe otoacariasis in humans and discuss the appropriate interventions.

Objective: We aimed to examine the effect of topical dexamethasone by otomicroscopic and histologic examinations for preventing myringosclerosis induced by myringotomy in rat tympanic membranes.Methods: Twenty-one Sprague Dawley rats (42 ears) were randomly divided into the following three groups after otomicroscopic examinations: experimental surgical group (5 rats), control group (8 rats), and study group (8 rats). The rats of all the groups underwent myringotomy in both tympanic membranes. Other than myringotomy, no additional procedure was performed for the rats in the experimental surgical group. In the control group, 0.9% NaCl was applied to the ears, whereas in the study groups, topical dexamethasone was applied to the ears. These applications in the control and study groups were repeated for nine days. On the 10th day of the study, the rat ears of all groups underwent otomicroscopic and histologic examinations. The prevalence and process of myringosclerosis were evaluated by otomicroscopic examination, whereas inflammation, membrane thickness, and myringosclerosis intensity were evaluated by histologic examination. Results:The growth of myringosclerosis with otomicroscopic examination was lesser in the study group in which topical dexamethasone was applied than the control and the experimental surgical groups. Moreover, it was observed that myringosclerosis effected fewer quadrants in the study group.Histologic examinations revealed that inflammation was significantly lesser in the study group than in the experimental surgical and control groups. The average membrane thickness values were significantly lesser in the study group than in the experimental surgical group. With respect to myringosclerosis growth, no statistically significant difference was observed among all groups, whereas with respect to myringosclerosis intensity, the rat ears in the study group were less severely affected.Conclusion: Thus, our study results suggest that applying topical dexamethasone after myringotomy has positive effects on limiting the intensity and prevalence of myringosclerosis.

Introduction  There is a common opinion that losing airway functions in total laryngectomy patients cause changes in nasal physiological rates. Studies conducted to review the subject present gaps, especially in terms of objective measurements. Objective  We evaluated late-term effects of surgery on nasal functions in patients who underwent total laryngectomy surgery more than two years ago. Methods  We included in the study 22 patients who had undergone total laryngectomy, as well as 24 healthy subjects with similar demographic characteristics as the control group. We performed acoustic rhinometry for intranasal volume and cross-sectional area measurements, saccharin test for measurement of nasal mucociliary clearance, and smell identification test for evaluation of olfactory function in the patient and control groups. We compared and statistically analyzed the data obtained from the groups. Results  In our study, although late-term (>2 years) measurements were not statistically significant, we detected more nasal passage patency in the patient group than in the control group. In smell identification test, lower scores were obtained in the patient group. The difference between measurements in both groups was statistically significant. Conclusion  We believe that since the upper respiratory tract is disabled due to tracheostomy in patients with total laryngectomy, atrophy occurs in the late term and, consequently, nasal mucociliary clearance is impaired. We also see diminished olfactory function in total laryngectomy patients.