Endoscopic photographic comparison of drug delivery by ear-drops and by aerosol spray

The Otomize (Stafford-Miller Ltd) aerosol spray is a new device for delivering topical ear medication in otitis externa. Both the manufacturers and a recent study have claimed that the spray produces better coverage of the external ear canal than do traditional ear-drops. We performed an endoscopic photographic comparison study to investigate this claim. The are of tympanic membrane and ear canal covered with medication was greater in those ears treated with the aerosol (P less than 0.001, paired t-test). The ability of the aerosol to deliver drug to the level of the tympanic membrane suggests a possible role for this device in the treatment of chronic otitis media. The technique of endoscopic photography provides an objective and reproducible means of investigating drug delivery systems for otological conditions.