Relationship between otitis media with effusion and ultrastructure and molecular biology of the Eustachian tube mucosa

Otitis media with effusion is one of the most common diseases in children and infants, which is a major cause of childhood morbidity increasing the risk for hearing lossand the delay in language development. Eustachian tube dysfunction is one of the clear causes of the disease. The eustachian tube mucosa under normal conditions is an important part of the eustachian tube function, which is essential for maintaining a good microenvironment in the middle ear cavity and maintaining its normal function. Ultrastructural and molecular biological abnormalities of the eustachian tube mucosa are closely related to the occurrence of otitis media with effusion. Therefore, this article reviews the ultrastructural and molecular biological differences between normal and otitis media with effusion eustachian tube mucosa in recent years, and further explores the pathogenesis of secretory otitis media, in order to help guide clinical treatment. Key words: Otitis Media with Effusion; Eustachian Tube; eustachian tube dysfunction; Cilia