Wideband Tympanometry in Otitis Media With Effusion

Purpose: Otitis media with effusion is an important problem in childhood. After proper diagnosis, generally 3 months of follow up has been recommended before surgical tympanostomy tube insertion. If the physician can estimate the status of the middle ear or fluid type better with a non-invasive method, we can suggest an early operation to these patients or decide to follow up more with no intervention. The purpose of the study is to compare the surgically confirmed middle ear effusions with wideband absorbance values and to differentiate them noninvasively before the operation.

Methods: A total of 123 children that were followed 3 months and treated surgically with the diagnosis of OME were included. Eighty-two sex, age-matched children were tested as control with wideband tympanometry. Ears were divided into four groups according to findings in the operation: serous, mucoid, adhesive, empty. Resonance frequency, 226 Hz, 1000 Hz compliance, Wideband Peak pressure, Absorbance measurements used for comparison.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients were diagnosed by ear examination, pneumatic otoscopy, and type B tympanogram with 226 Hz tympanometry. They were followed for 3 months with proper medication. After 3 months if there was no change with ear examination and 226 Hz tympanometry, surgical ventilation tube insertion was offered.

Exclusion criteria

• The patients with chronic ear diseases, ototoxic drug use, neurologic disease were excluded.