Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Effusions, retraction pockets, perforations, and cholesteatoma are the different stages of the same pathology which may progress bilaterally. The present study was conducted to assess status of the contralateral ears (CLEs) in patients with unilateral CSOM. Materials & Methods: 70 patients of CSOM of both genderswere divided into 2 groups as group I with choleasteatoma and group II those without choleasteatoma. The hearing status was assessed using pure tone audiometry. Presence of pathologies such as Tympanosclerosis, Pars tensa retraction, thinning tympanic membrane, Pars flaccida retraction and Opaque tympanic membrane were recorded in both groups. Results: Out of 70 patients, males were 40 and females were 30. Contra lateral ears were normal in 18 in group I and 16 in group II. Abnormality found were tympanosclerosis in 4 and 3, Pars tensa retraction in 5 and 2, thinning of tympanic membrane in 3 and 6, Pars flaccida retractionin 2 and 3 and opaque tympanic membrane in 3 and 2 patients in group I and II respectively. The difference was non- significant (P>0.05). The mean conductive hearing loss in group I was 33.76 dB ABG and in group II was 28.54 dB ABG. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: TM retraction in group I patients and thinning TM in group II were common contralateral ear findings in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. Hence, a careful evaluation of contralateral ear is mandatory to diagnose hidden pathologies.