The aim of the present study was to investigate the dose-related effectiveness of corticosteroids in the management of otitis media with effusion, by using the objective assessment techniques of tympanometry and cytokine measurement.

The eustachian tubes of 42 male rats were obstructed. Thirty-six subjects with effusion were randomly divided into three equal groups: controls; 0.5 mg/kg/day corticosteroid; and 1 mg/kg/day corticosteroid. Concentrations of interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α in the middle-ear effusions were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

An effusion occurred on the 14th post-operative day and was present on the 30th post-operative day in the control group. Otomicroscopic examination and tympanometric measurement showed an improvement in the intervention groups. There was a significant difference between both intervention groups and the control group for both interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α concentrations (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the 0.5 mg/kg and the 1 mg/kg corticosteroid groups (p > 0.05).

The study confirmed a short term beneficial effect of systemic steroids on resolution of otitis media with effusion in a rat model. Our results support the theory that corticosteroids significantly decrease concentrations of both interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor α. In our model, the 0.5 mg/kg corticosteroid dose was as effective as the 1 mg/kg corticosteroid dose. Further studies should be carried out to determine the optimal dose and duration of corticosteroids in the treatment of otitis media with effusion.