[Relations between allergic rhinitis and otitis media with effusion. The role of the Eustachian tube].

It was recently observed that otitis media with perfusion (OME) occurs in 35-50% of children suffering from allergic rhinitis. The main pathogenetic mechanism was identified as the dysfunction of the eustachian tube (ET) following its impairment during nose allergy infection. As a result of this dysfunction, the tympanic cavity is affected by: accumulated secretion, proliferation of germs and changes of the hypersecretion of the lining mucous. The long-term persistence of these secretions may damage the normal functions of the ossicular chain and thus the transmission of sounds, leading to the onset of hypoacusis which may interfere negatively with the child's mental-physical development.