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Article: Barotrauma vis-a-vis the "chronic otitis media syndrome": Two conditions with middle ear gas deficiency: Is secretory otitis media a contraindication to air travel?
- Article from:
- The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology
- Article date:
- March 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Annals Publishing Company Mar 2003. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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We compared 17 patients (29 ears) with barotrauma with 171 patients suffering from "chronic ears" (secretory otitis media, atelectasis, or previously operated cholesteatoma). The patients with "chronic ears" were followed up prospectively, and none were found to suffer from barotrauma after flying on a commercial airplane. The mastoid pneumatization (seen on lateral mastoid radiographs) was significantly larger in ears with barotrauma, averaging 16.85 cm^sup 2^, versus 12.9 cm^sup 2^ in normal controls, whereas in "chronic ears" it was only 3.6 cm^sup 2^. During flight on a commercial airplane, the middle ear has to equalize about 20% of its gas volume with the ambient pressure. This ...