N-Acetylcysteine as an Adjunct for Refractory Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Otitis MediaOtorrheaChronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) can be particularly difficult to treat as a number of patients do not respond to routine antibiotic or surgical treatments. The current treatment involves administering combination antibiotic anti-inflammatory ear drops such as Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin 0.3% / dexamethasone 0.1%). Although most patients experience a relief of symptoms, a fraction of patients remain refractory to treatment. Recent findings suggest that the addition of N-acetylcysteine (0.5-2%) to Ciprodex is a superior treatment for otitis media with effusion compared to the use of Ciprodex alone.
Echinacea Purpurea and Osteopathy in Children With Recurrent Otitis Media
Otitis MediaThis study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the herb Echinacea purpurea and of cranial osteopathic manipulative treatment to prevent otitis media (middle ear infections) in young children.
Evaluation of Cellphone Based Otoscopy in Pediatric Patients
Ear InfectionPediatric Disease1 moreThe Cellscope is an iPhone-based otoscope that uses the iPhone camera and light source to capture HIPAA compliant images and video recordings of the external and middle ear structure. This technology allows multiple providers, at different levels of training, the ability to simultaneously exam a child's external and middle ear structures. The investigators hypothesize this device will result in improved concordance in trainee/supervisor exam findings, increase trainee confidence in exam findings, decreased antibiotic prescriptions, and fewer repeat exams by multiple providers. Thus, this study has the potential to improve physician training and examination confidence, decrease the unnecessary use of antibiotics, and improve the patient/caregiver experience in healthcare interactions.
The Efficacy and Safety of Using the Novel Tyto Device
PharyngitisRespiratory Diseases2 moreTo investigate the efficacy and safety of using the novel Tyto device for remote physical examination by co-investigators as compared to a standard medical physical examination by physicians.
Herbal-Based Medication vs. Placebo in Preventing Acute Otitis Media in Children at High Risk of...
Acute Otitis MediaThe purpose of this study is to study whether a herbal-based medication is superior to placebo for prevention of acute otitis media in pre-school children with upper respiratory tract infection.
Food Allergy - Tubes - Adenoids (FATA) Trial
Otitis Media With EffusionFood HypersensitivityThe questioned proposed by this study is one of treatment: "To what extent does simultaneous BMT (Bilateral Myringotomy with Tympanostomy Tubes), adenoidectomy, and diagnosis/avoidance of food allergy affect the frequency of recurrent otitis media (ROM) versus the standard academy approach (tube insertions only) to chronic otitis media with effusion; furthermore, are adenoids a factor in OME or is food allergy diagnosis and treatment able to significantly prevent ROM after the tubes fall out?" The trial seeks to provide evidence that the treatment for Chronic OME in children should involve surgical procedures (BMT +/- adenoidectomy), as well, as a food allergy work-up and subsequent avoidance of the offending foods in order to significantly decrease ROM. To answer this question, a prospective, randomized controlled trial needs to be conducted. Since a majority of OME patients are from the pediatric population, parental consent must be obtained. Subjects in our study will initially present to the clinic with otitis media symptoms and diagnostic tests such as a tympanogram, otoscopy, and history of recurrent otitis media will be obtained. Once the surgical decision for bilateral myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes has been made, parents will be informed about the trial. The standard protocol for children presenting with initial Chronic OME is to perform a BMT. Therefore, data from the control group (Group 1) will be obtained from faculty ENT who follow the academy's recommendations. Data from Group 2 and 3 will be collected from other ENT faculty members, including the faculty co-investigator who will perform the BMT and obtain a food allergy blood draw at the time of surgery. The study's faculty co-investigator will describe food avoidance techniques to post-op patients from Groups 2 and 3. Patients with previous adenotonsillar surgery or placement of tympanostomy tubes will not be enrolled in the study. The incidence of ROM episodes in all trial groups will be recorded.
Xylitol Syrup for the Prevention of Acute Otitis Media in Otitis-prone Children
Acute Otitis MediaThe primary objective of the proposed study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of orally administered viscous-adherent xylitol syrup given in a dose of five grams three times daily for 12 weeks in reducing the incidence of clinically-diagnosed acute otitis media (ear infection) in children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media.
Efficacy Trial of Two Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PncCRM and PncOMPC) for Prevention of Acute...
Otitis MediaPneumococcal InfectionsThis was a randomized, double-blinded multicenter cohort study of Finnish children aged 2 to 24 months. The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of two 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PncCRM and PncOMPC) parallelly, both vaccines compared with the same control vaccine (hepatitis B vaccine). The primary endpoint was culture-confirmed pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM) episodes due to all serotypes included in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the primary hypothesis was that, compared to the control vaccine group, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine would protect infants from culture confirmed AOM caused by pneumococcal serotypes in the vaccine. The efficacy of the two vaccines against any pneumococcal AOM and any AOM was also evaluated. The children were vaccinated with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or the control vaccine at the age of 2, 4, 6 and 12 months and followed at study clinics established specifically for the purpose from 2 to 24 months of age. Whenever AOM was diagnosed during the follow-up, middle ear fluid was aspirated for bacterial culture.
Mobile Otoscopy - Efficacy of Residents to Diagnose Acute Otitis Media Using a Smartphone Otoscope...
Acute Otitis MediaTo evaluate the residents' efficacy in diagnosing acute otitis media among febrile children presenting with respiratory symptoms using a smartphone otoscope attachment compared with a classic otoscope.
Maternal Immunization To Prevent Infant Otitis Media
Otitis MediaThe main objective of this study is to evaluate whether immunization with 9-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PNCRM9) during the third trimester of pregnancy interferes with active antibody production in offspring immunized with PNCRM7 (Prevnar) in the first six months of life.