ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the fluctuations in the prevalence of individuals diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, while also evaluating the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in middle ear effusion (MEE) and assessing the effectiveness of tympanocentesis as a treatment modality for OME in this specific period.MethodsThe total number of outpatients and patients diagnosed with OME in our department was recorded for January 2022 and January 2023. Thirty patients (aged 15–86 years) were categorized into two groups: group A (n = 12), who developed OME during their SARS-CoV-2 infection and group B (n = 18), who experienced OME after the resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients underwent otoendoscopic tympanocentesis (without a ventilation tube), where MEE and nasopharyngeal secretions were simultaneously collected for SARS-CoV-2 detection by polymerase chain reaction. The time interval from SARS-CoV-2 infection to tympanocentesis, results of SARS-CoV-2 detection, preoperative and postoperative average hearing threshold, and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) scores were documented.ResultsThe proportion of outpatients with OME in January 2023 was higher than that in January 2022. There were five patients who had positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 on MEE after tympanocentesis. These 5 patients underwent tympanocentesis at a mean of 28 ± 7.28 days following confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ETDQ-7 scores of group A exhibited a reduction from 21.85 ± 4.8 to 10.00 ± 4.07 following tympanocentesis, while the ETDQ-7 scores of group B also demonstrated a decrease from 21.22 ± 4.65 to 10.11 ± 3.68 after undergoing tympanocentesis. The tympanocentesis was effective in both groups.ConclusionsThe study confirmed that the proportion of outpatients with OME in the Clinics of Otolaryngology during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic increased significantly. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detectable in MEE of COVID-19-related OME patients. Tympanocentesis was therapeutic for OME during SARS-CoV-2 infection, which facilitated viral clearance in MEE.

中文翻译：

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SARS-CoV-2 流行期间成人渗出性中耳炎

目的本研究的目的是调查 SARS-CoV-2 大流行期间诊断为分泌性中耳炎 (OME) 的个体的患病率波动，同时评估 SARS-CoV-2 在中耳积液 (MEE) 中的持续存在）并评估在此特定时期鼓膜穿刺术作为 OME 治疗方式的有效性。方法记录了 2022 年 1 月和 2023 年 1 月我科门诊和诊断为 OME 的患者总数。30 名患者（年龄 15-86 岁）分为两组：A 组（n = 12），在 SARS-CoV-2 感染期间出现 OME；B 组（n = 18），在 SARS-CoV-2 感染消退后出现 OME。所有患者均接受耳内镜鼓膜穿刺术（无通气管），同时收集MEE和鼻咽分泌物，通过聚合酶链反应检测SARS-CoV-2。记录从感染 SARS-CoV-2 到进行鼓膜穿刺的时间间隔、SARS-CoV-2 检测结果、术前和术后平均听力阈值以及咽鼓管功能障碍问卷 (ETDQ-7) 评分。 结果2023年1月高于2022年1月。有5名患者在鼓膜穿刺后MEE上SARS-CoV-2检测结果呈阳性。这 5 名患者在确认 SARS-CoV-2 感染后平均 28 ± 7.28 天接受了鼓膜穿刺术。A组的ETDQ-7评分在鼓膜穿刺后从21.85±4.8下降到10.00±4.07，而B组的ETDQ-7评分在鼓膜穿刺后也从21.22±4.65下降到10.11±3.68。两组鼓膜穿刺术均有效。结论研究证实，SARS-CoV-2流行期间耳鼻喉科门诊中OME门诊患者的比例显着增加。在 COVID-19 相关 OME 患者的 MEE 中可检测到 SARS-CoV-2 RNA。鼓室穿刺术对 SARS-CoV-2 感染期间的 OME 具有治疗作用，有助于 MEE 中的病毒清除。