[The early diagnostics of retraction pockets of the tympanic membrane in children].

The most important literature data concerning retraction pockets (RP) of the tympanic membrane and their currently accepted classification are presented. The objective of the present work was to develop criteria for the objective estimation of the dynamic state of the tympanic retraction pockets in children presenting with non-perforating forms of otitis media. A total of 138 children suffering from exudative otitis media were available for observation; retraction pockets were found in the majority of these patients. Otomicroscopic characteristics of various RP species are described. A diagnostic approach to the observation of the dynamic state of the tympanic retraction pockets is proposed. The presence of the retraction pockets of the tympanic membrane is considered to be a risk factor of the development of cholesteatoma and chronic purulent pathology of the middle ear in the children. Deep retraction pockets without a controllable bottom and attic cholesteatomas were identified in 16 (11.6%) and 6 (4.3%) of the examined children respectively. They were treated by means of sparing otosurgery.