Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intratympanic injection of dexamethasone to treat otitis media with effusion (OME) by two different methods, namely, through Eustachian tube under electronic laryngoscope, and auripuncture and intratympanic injection. Methods A total of 65 OME cases (69 ears) with poor curative effect after conventional medical therapy for 1-4 weeks were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=32, 33 ears) were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injection through eustachian tube under electronic laryngoscope, and the control group (n=33, 36 ears) were treated with auripuncture and intratympanic dexamethasone injection. These injections were repeated once every 2-3 days for 3 times. The clinical efficacy and complications were compared between the two group after a followed-up of 10~12 months. Results The total effective rate in the treatment group and control group was 93.9% (31/33) and 83.3% (30/36), respectively, and the recurrence rate was 15.2% (5/33) and 33.3% (12/36). The total effective rate was higher in the treatment group than in the control group while the recurrence rate was lower in the treatment group. But the differences had no statistical significance (both P>0.05). No complications occurred in both groups. Conclusion Two methods about intratympanic dexamethasone injection have the same efficacy. Intratympanic dexamethasone through eustachian tube under electronic laryngoscope can be used as a new way for the treatment of OME.

Key words: Eustachian tube, Otitis media with effusion, Intratympanic injection, Electronic laryngoscope