Table 2 Otitis media abbreviations and definitions [21].

OM

Otitis media

All forms of inflammation and infection of the middle ear.

OME

Otitis media with effusion, “glue ear”

Presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane without any acute symptomsor signs of inflammation.

pOME

Persistent otitis media with effusion

OME for more than 3 months without any acute symptoms.

AOMwoP

Acute otitis media without perforation

The presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane plus at least one of thefollowing: bulging tympanic membrane, red tympanic membrane, fever, earpain or irritability.

AOMwiP

Acute otitis media with perforation

Discharge of pus (otorrhoea) through a small perforation (hole, generally < 2% ofthe pars tensa) in the tympanic membrane within the last 2 weeks.

rAOM

Recurrent acute otitis media

The occurrence of 3 or more episodes of AOM in a 6-month period, or occurrenceof 4 or more episodes in the last 12 months.

CSOM

Chronic suppurative otitis media

Persistent discharge of pus (otorrhoea) through a perforation (hole) in the tympanicmembrane lasting 2 weeks or more and tympanic membrane perforation largeenough to allow penetration of topical antibiotics into the middle ear space(generally > 2% of the pars tensa).

DP

Dry perforation or inactive CSOM

Presence of a perforation (hole) in the tympanic membrane without any signs ofdischarge or fluid behind the tympanic membrane.

TTO

Tympanostomy Tube otorrhoea

Discharge of pus (otorrhoea) through tympanostomy tubes (or “grommets”) in situ.

supp OM

Suppurative otitis media

Combined AOMwoP, AOMwiP, or CSOM.

TMP

Tympanic membrane perforation

Combined AOMwiP, DP, or CSOM