Electro-acoustical and Electrophysiological Examinations in Diagnostics of Otitis Media in Infants

Abstract

Several hundred children in the first year of life were evaluated and treated for a variety of diseases. Seven sets of measures were used in the study: 1. Background characteristics; 2. Otological questionnaires; 3. Otoscopical examination; 4. Impedance audiometry; 5. Brainstem Electrical Response Audiometry; 6. Results of surgery (tympanotomy, antrotomy); 7. Results of Otoscopical examination and Impedance Audiometry in dynamics. This results were compared with cytological and histology examination of surgical findings. High correlation of type A with reducing compliance indexes and proliferation were found. We propose that pathogenesis of otitis media in infants develop in two ways.Discussion Algorithm of SOM – diagnostics was elaborated. SOM - diagnostics is based on a few steps. The first step is the SOM prognosis in infants. The second step is the otoscopy examination of the infants of the risk group. The third step is the audiometric investigations - impedance audiometry and ABR. Impedance audiometry data are used for information of middle ear pathology character. BERA data give us possibility to estimate the profound of middle ear pathology and degree and character of hearing impairment. Conclusion We present an algorithm of the management of SOM in infants on the basis of our analysis. This algorithm was also verified in patients from the control group. We were able to correctly-diagnose this disease and prognosticate its course in over 97% of cases.