Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Apr;44(4):362-365.

Estimation of obstructive pathologies in patient with chronic otitis media: comparison between the estimated volume by impedance audiometry and radiologic findings

• Lee SH
• Park CW
• Cho SH
• Jung SW
• Ahn HS
• Lee YS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impedance audiometry is a clinically useful method for measuring the physical volume of pneumatized middle ear and mastoid medial using a hermetically sealed probe tip. This study was performed to evaluate the obstructive pathologies of middle ear and mastoid by measuring their volumes in patients of chronic otitis media.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The volume of middle ear and mastoid was measured in 37 ears with dry eardrum perforation by chronic otitis media. For control, we measured the volume in 23 ears with the traumatic tympanic membrane perforation. A comparison was made between the volumes and pneumatization in the mastoid X-ray, the soft tissue density in the computed tomography of temporal bone, and the obstruction site at operative findings.
RESULTS
The mean volume of the traumatic tympanic membrane perforation was 6.75+/-0.42 ml. The mean volume of chronic otitis media was 3.36+/-2.19 ml and the volume of the sclerotic group was significantly smaller than that of the pneumatic group in the mastoid X-ray. The pathological group had significantly smaller volume than the non-pathological group at operative findings.
CONCLUSIONS
The impedance audiometry enables a rapid and valuable evaluation of the presence or absence of obstructive pathologies in the middle ear and mastoid in chronic otitis media with dry tympanic perforation.

Keyword

otitis media; volume; impedance audiometry

MeSH Terms

Acoustic Impedance Tests*
Ear
Ear, Middle
Electric Impedance*
Humans
Mastoid
Otitis Media*
Otitis*
Pathology*
Temporal Bone
Tympanic Membrane Perforation