| Description |
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While adhesive otitis media is the end result of previous middle ear inflammation, the use of the phrase "otitis media" in the name of this condition is not strictly accurate. By the time this condition presents, there is no longer any active inflammation present within the middle ear.
Adhesive otitis media, like middle ear atelectasis, is characterized by atrophic changes and a partial or complete retraction of the tympanic membrane toward the medial wall of the tympanic cavity. However, in adhesive otitis media, the tympanic membrane is bound to the medial wall of the middle ear by fibrous adhesions, consequently, there is no possibility of reversing the retraction by reaerating the middle ear. |
