Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the type B tympanogram curve (maximum admittance, tympanometric peak pressure) to the volume and viscosity of middle ear fluid.
Methods
We conducted preoperative tympanometry from 175 ears in 94 children with otitis media with effusion. The volume and viscosity of middle ear fluid collected during myringotomy were classified into 3 groups respectively. We analysed the correlations between the characteristcs of middle ear fluid and tympanometric profiles such as maximum admittance, tympanometric peak pressure. Student t test was used for statistical analysis.
Results
No correlation was found between peak pressure of the tympanogram and the characteristics of middle ear fluid. However, as the volume of middle ear fluid increases, the viscosity and the straight type B tympanogram increased significantly (p<0.001, p=0.002 respectively). And as the volume and the viscosity of the middle ear fluid increased, the Admmax significantly decreased (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Characteristics of type B tympanogram curve were correlated with the volume and viscosity of middle ear fluid. And it can be suggested that tympanometry may be used as an objective measure to estimate the characteristics of the middle ear fluid.
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