Eosinophilic Inflammation in Middle Ear Disorders
Summary
Eosinophilic inflammation within the middle ear represents a distinct subset of otitis media characterised by the accumulation of eosinophils in the mucosa and effusion. Patients typically present with chronic otorrhoea, conductive hearing loss and resistance to standard antimicrobial therapy. Pathophysiologically, a type 2 immune response—driven by interleukin-5 and related cytokines—promotes eosinophil recruitment, mucosal oedema and barrier disruption. This disorder often coexists with asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, reflecting a common allergic phenotype. Advances in imaging techniques, notably high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography, have revealed characteristic soft-tissue density patterns that support early suspicion. Recent work has refined diagnostic criteria and illuminated mechanisms of tissue remodelling, laying the groundwork for targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Eosinophilic Inflammation in Middle Ear Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in eosinophilic inflammation in middle ear disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM): A form of otitis media characterised by dense eosinophil infiltration in the middle ear mucosa and fluid.
Eosinophils: Granulocytic leukocytes involved in allergic inflammation and type 2 immune responses.
Type 2 inflammation: An immune pathway dominated by interleukins 4, 5 and 13, leading to eosinophil activation, IgE production and mucus hypersecretion.
Biologics: Monoclonal antibodies or fusion proteins designed to inhibit specific cytokines or receptors in immune pathways.
Otorrhoea: Discharge of fluid from the middle ear through a perforated tympanic membrane or ventilation tube.
References
- Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Otitis Media Using Blood Eosinophil Levels. Diagnostics (2023).
- Efficacy of Biologics on Refractory Eosinophilic Otitis Media Associated with Bronchial Asthma or Severe Uncontrolled CRSwNP. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022).
- Sequential Biotherapy Targeting IL-5 and IL-4/13 in Patients with Eosinophilic Asthma with Sinusitis and Otitis Media. Biomolecules (2022).
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