Definition
Acute otitis media (AOM) is an infection of the middle ear space, defined by the presence of middle ear fluid, with rapid onset of signs and symptoms of acute inflammation, such as otalgia and fever. AOM is the illness which most commonly brings children to their physician (Bluestone and Klein 2007).
Etiology
The middle ear space is a closed space located behind the tympanic membrane. Its only communication with the outside world is through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear space to the nasopharynx. The normal middle ear space is filled with air, and the system is lined by respiratory mucosa. The anatomy of the Eustachian tube in infants and young children differs from that of adults, contributing to the increased incidence of AOM in this population. In an infant, the Eustachian tube (ET) is shorter and lies at a more horizontal angle as compared to an adult. It reaches its adult length by the time a...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Monographs
Bluestone CD, Klein JO (2007) Otitis media in infants and children, 4th edn. BC Decker, Ontario
Collections
Bluestone CD (2003) Eustachian tube function and dysfunction. In: Rosenfeld RM, Bluestone CD (eds) Evidence based otitis media, 2nd edn. BC Decker, Ontario, pp 163–179
Casselbrant ML (2004) Ventilation tubes for recurrent acute otitis media. In: Alper CM, Bluestone CD et al (eds) Advanced therapy of otitis media. BC Decker, Ontario, pp 113–116
Heikkinen T (2004) Viral vaccines for recurrent acute otitis media. In: Alper CM, Bluestone CD et al (eds) Advanced therapy of otitis media. BC Decker, Ontario, pp 130–133
Klein JO (2004) Bacterial vaccines for prevention of acute otitis media. In: Alper CM, Bluestone CD et al (eds) Advanced therapy of otitis media. BC Decker, Ontario, pp 134–137
Rosenfeld RM, Bluestone CD (2003) Clinical efficacy of surgical therapy. In: Rosenfeld RM, Bluestone CD (eds) Evidence based otitis media, 2nd edn. BC Decker, Ontario, pp 227–240
Journal Articles
American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Management of Acute Otitis Media (2004) Diagnosis and management of acute otitis media. Pediatrics 113(5):1451–1465
Black S, Shinefield H, Fireman B et al (2000) Efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children. Northern California Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center Group. Pediatr Infect Dis J 19(3):187–195
Eskola J, Kilpi T, Palmu A et al (2001) Efficacy of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against acute otitis media. N Engl J Med 344(6):403–409
Rosenfeld RM, Kay D (2003) Natural history of untreated otits media. Laryngoscope 113(10):1645–1657
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Green, K., Yoon, P.J. (2013). Acute Otitis Media. In: Kountakis, S.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_564
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_564
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-23498-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-23499-6
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine