Effect of Otitis Media and Cerumen Occlusion on Body Temperature Measured by Thermometers

Jeong, Seong Nam; Kim, Eun Sung; You, Ju Hee; Cho, Hyung Min; Yoo, Eun Jung; Kim, Eun Young; Kim, Kyoung Sim; Kim, Yong Wook

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine the effect of unilateral otitis media and unilateral cerumen occlusion of the ear canal on thermometers.
METHODS
One hundred eighty six children with unilateral otitis media, fifty children with unilateral cerumen occlusion, and fifty children with neither otitis media nor cerumen were enrolled. Temperature was measured in both ear canals using thermometers. After 15 minutes, second temperature was measured again in both ears. Unilateral otitis media was graded by video otoscope for 7 grades. Differences in temperatures between affected ears and unaffected ears were analyzed.
RESULTS
No temperature difference between the normal and cerumen groups was observed. The mean temperature of the otitis media ear canal was 0.13+/-0.20degrees C higher than that of the intact ear canal (36.99+/-0.54degrees C vs 36.86+/-0.52degrees C; P<0.001). There was no statistically significant temperature difference between grades.
CONCLUSION
Unilateral otits media can affect estimation of body temperature measured by thermometers.