The role of multifrequency tympanometry in otitis media

OBJECTIVE: 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 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.