The Differential Diagnosis of Different Middle Ear Fluids in Otitis Media With Effusion by Wideband Tympanometry

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.