[The value of throat and nasopharyngeal cultures in acute bacterial otitis media in childhood].

One hundred children suffering from acute bacterial otitis media in Hacettepe Children's Hospital were investigated in two groups. Simultaneous throat and nasopharyngeal cultures were taken from 75 children of the first group, showing hyperaemic and hypertrophic tympanic membrane in one or both sides. In 42 of 75 throat cultures, same bacteria were grown as in nasopharyngeal cultures. From the second group, showing perforated tympanic membrane in the first 6 weeks, cultures were also taken. Same bacteria were grown again in the cultures of throat and ear discharges in 19 of 25 children. This high percentages denote the necessity and usefulness of taking also simultaneous throat cultures in acute otitis media cases.