Feed

Otitis media is a complex disease. The pathogenesis of both acute and chronic otitis media results from a complex interplay of anatomical, microbiological, and immunological factors. Identified risk factors include patient-related aspects such as nutrition, allergies, ethnicity, and genetic predisposition, as well as environmental factors such as socioeconomic status, tobacco use, attendance at daycare centers and recurrent respiratory infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, strict measures led to a significant decline in the incidence of acute otitis media. However, infections with variants such as Omicron showed an increased rate of secretory otitis media. In the post-COVID phase, complication rates due to middle ear infections rose again, with prevalence returning to pre-lockdown levels. Preventive measures focus on ensuring adequate Eustachian tube function, treating allergies, and consistently administering pneumococcal vaccinations. In contrast, surgical treatment remains the gold standard for chronic middle ear infections and cholesteatoma. However, radical removal can be associated with high morbidity rates, underscoring the need for innovative approaches. These include optical coherence tomography (OCT) and minimally invasive laser surgery. Furthermore, new insights into the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic otitis media could open up new therapeutic possibilities for the future. This article discusses the current state of knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of otitis media, as well as new treatment models and their implications.