Treatment of eosinophilic otitis media with pegylated interferon-α 2a and 2b

Objective/HypothesisEosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is a variant of chronic otitis media that is characterized by the development of thick mucoid middle ear effusion, adult onset bronchial asthma, sinonasal polyposis, and aspirin sensitivity. EOM is typically refractory to corticosteroid therapy and surgical intervention. Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) has effectively treated hypereosinophilic syndrome in clinical trials; however, the efficacy of this medication for EOM treatment remains undefined. Study DesignRetrospective, case series, tertiary academic center. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on EOM patients from 2008-2014. A total of 32 patients met the clinical criteria for EOM according to established diagnostic guidelines. Outcomes of all patients with severe, refractory EOM who initiated PEG-IFN therapy are reported. ResultsEight patients were treated with pegylated interferon- 2a or 2b for refractory EOM. Half of the patients had significant side effects with interferon treatment. Three of these were able to continue at a reduced dosage without side effect reoccurrence, and one patient stopped the medication permanently. Four of eight (50%) patients had a complete clinical response with total resolution of otorrhea and normalization of middle ear mucosa, and were able to discontinue corticosteroid treatment. Two patients attempted to stop PEG-IFN therapy after prolonged symptom remission and had recurrent otorrhea. Both patients had symptom resolution after PEG-IFN reinitiation. ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that pegylated interferon- 2a and 2b therapy may benefit patients with severe, refractory EOM. Further larger studies with long-term follow-up are required to validate these early but promising results. Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:1208-1216, 2017