Middle ear status in ears showing high admittance tympanograms. Clinical value of the use of the two-component 678 Hz oto-admittance tympanogram
De Ceulaer, G.; Somers, T.; Offeciers, F.E.; Govaerts, P.J.
Acta Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica Belgica 56(3): 313-317
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6497 PMID: 12244895 Document Number: 541226
The present paper reports on the results of a retrospective study using 678 Hz susceptance-conductance tympanometry performed on abnormally high admittant middle ears. High admittance was proven to be caused by (partial) disruption or lysis of the ossicular chain. Retrospective analysis shows that 678 Hz tympanometry seems to be more accurate in the differential diagnosis of ossicular chain disruptions compared to CT-imaging of the ossicular chain (88% versus 81% correct identification respectively). Classic tympanometry using a probe frequency of 226 Hz was abnormal in only 43% of the cases.