[Diagnostic criteria for surgical correction of exudative otitis media in children].

A total of 118 children with exudative otitis media were available for observation in this study. Pneumatization of the mastoid process was evaluated by the roentgenoplanimetric technique. A large fraction of patients (48%) with acute exudatived otitis media showed pneumatic type of pneumatization whereas sclerotic pneumatization predominated in children with chronic exudative otitis media (68%). Retractions significantly more frequently developed in ears with the sclerotic type of pneumatization of the mastoid process (91%) than in case of pneumatic pneumatization. Based on these data, the children were divided into two groups, one comprising 25 patients with acute exudative otitis, the other 35 ones with recurrent disease. It is concluded that children with the symptomocomplex characterized by low level of pneumatization of the mastoid process, conductive or mixed hearing loss with a bone-air interval of 30-50 dB, and type B tympanogram are in need of early surgical intervention.