The following is an excerpt from a study published in the Annals of
Allergy, Volume 73, September, 1994. For the full study please consult
the Annals of Allergy.

Role of food allergy in serous otitis media

by T M Nsouli, MD; S M Nsouli, MD; R E Linde, MD; F O'Mara, PhD; R T
Scanlon, MD; and J A Bellanti, MD

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Background. The relationship between IgE-mediated hypersensitivity and
recurrent serous otitis media has not been completely established.

Objective. The purpose of the present study was to examine the
prevalence of food allergy in patients with recurrent serous otitis
media.

Methods. A total of 104 unselected patients (age range 1.5 to 9 years,
mean 4.6 years) with recurrent seroud otitis media were evaluated for
food allergy by means of skin prick testing, specific IgE tests, and
food challenge. Patients who were allergic to food(s) underwent an
exclusion diet of the specific offending food(s) for a period of 16
weeks. A non-double blinded food challenge was performed with the
suspected offending food(s). Their middle ear effusion was monitored and
assessed by tympanometry (Welch Allyn Model 23600) during the
pre-elimination, elimination and challenge diet phases.

Results. There was a significant statistical association, by chi-square
analysis, between food allergy and recurrent serous otitis media in
81/104 patients (78%). The elimination diet led to a significant
amelioration of serous otitis media in 70/81 (86%) patients as assessed
by clinical evaluation and tympanometry. The challenge diet with the
suspected offending foods(s) provoked a recurrence of serous otitis
media in 66/70 patients (94%).

Conclusions. The possibility of food allergy should be considered in all
pediactric patients with recurrent serous otitis media and a diligent
search for the putative food allergen made for proper diagnostic and
therapeutic intervention.