Efficacy of mometasone nasal spray in the treatment of otitis media with effusion in the pediatric age group: A preliminary study

Aims: To study the efficacy of mometasone furoate monohydrate topical nasal spray in the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children aged between 4 and 15 years. Thus, by comparative analysis of results, at 0 and 6 weeks of using mometasone nasal spray, its efficacy in improving the clinical and audiological status of children with OME is assessed. Materials and Methods: A prospective, clinical study carried out on 22 children aged between 4 and 15 years who had attended our Department of Otolaryngology in a tertiary care hospital from January 2008 to May 2009. Results: The efficacy of mometasone furoate monohydrate topical nasal spray in the resolution of middle ear fluid in children aged between 4 and 15 years with OME in this study group was observed to be significant (52.7%). A significant improvement in the overall symptoms was seen in the treatment group. There was good improvement in the audiological status also. Conclusion: Topical steroids can be an alternative to surgery in controlling OME. However, these results are only short-term; a long-term follow-up is necessary. Topical intranasal mometasone furoate therapy can be considered a good therapeutic option to OME. Nasal administration of this steroid is safe, reproducible, easily performed, and well tolerated by pediatric patients.