Otitis Media (Secretory) (Serous Otitis Media; Otitis Media with Effusion) By Richard T Miyamoto, MD, MS, Indiana University School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Secretory Otitis Media Secretory otitis media is an effusion in the middle ear resulting from incomplete resolution of acute otitis media or obstruction of the eustachian tube without infection.