Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of
multifrequency tympanometry in otitis media with effusion
and adhesive otitis media.
Methods: We selected 50 patients with long standing
or recurrent attacks of otitis media with effusion from
the outpatient clinic of the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT)
Department, Sohag Medical School, Egypt between May
2002 and December 2002. A control group was also
selected, consisting of 25 patients with normal hearing
levels and with no history of ENT problems. We conducted
full audiological investigations in the form of pure tone
audiometry, speech audiometry and immittancemetry.
Immittancemetry included low probe tone frequency and
multifrequency tympanometry. Each subject in the study
ABSTRACT
group had undergone myringotomy and examination under
microscope to decide if the case had either otitis media
with effusion or adhesive otitis media.
Results: Resonant frequency proved to have the best
performance in reflecting middle ear pathology. It was
lowest in otitis media with effusion with a mean value of
428 ± 159 Hz and it was highest in adhesive otitis media
with a mean of 1336 ± 230 Hz.
Conclusion: Multifrequency tympanometry has an efficacy
of 100% in the diagnosis of otitis media with effusion and
70% in the diagnosis of adhesive otitis media.