Diagnostics of otitis media with effusion

Abstract

Background. Chronic Otitis media with effusion (COME) is characterized by presence of effusion in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane during 3 months or more. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of middle ear effusion on Pneumatic Otoscopy, Otomicroscopy, Impedance Audiometry, Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOE) and Brainstem Electrical Response Audiometry (BERA). Material and methods. This is a prospective comparative study. Children with COME established on the basis of Otomicroscopy, complete Audiologic examination underwent tympanotomy with collection of effusion from the middle ear. Presence and character liquid were compared with the results of preoperative examinations. Results. We found the substantial inter-tool agreement between tympanotomy and otomicroscopy, impedance audiometry with the detailed analysis, and BERA with hearing thresholds level and latencies I analysis. Conclusion. Detailed analysis of all characteristics of the electro-acoustical and electro-physiological tests is able to improve our knowledge of ME content what is important for our understanding of the stage of pathological process in the middle ear and for indication of comprehensive management.