Evaluation of Contralateral Ear in Unilateral Chronic Otitis Media: Necessary or Not?

Eustachian tube appears to be central to the pathogenesis of all forms of otitis media. The reported frequency of bilateral disease ranges from 27 to 55%. The affected ear may well be the end point of the pathology in the contra lateral ear (CLE). Cross sectional observational study. One hundred patients who had unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) were enrolled in the study. Diseased ear was divided into either mucosal or squamosal type. Otoendoscopy, pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry and X-ray mastoid (Schuller's view) findings of CLE were noted. Considering all the changes including tympanic membrane, X-ray mastoid, hearing assessment and tympanometry, we found that 70% of patients had alterations in the CLE. Our study was consistent with many previous studies that there was an increased risk of COM in the CLE of unilateral COM.