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[Comparison between 226 Hz probe tone tympanometry and spiral CT test in infants]
Insights
226 Hz tympanometry is not recommended for diagnosing middle ear fluid in infants under 7 months. This hearing test showed low diagnostic value when compared to CT scans in the study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Middle ear effusion (MEE) is common in infants, potentially impacting hearing.
- Accurate diagnosis of MEE is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of 226 Hz probe-tone tympanometry for detecting middle ear fluid in infants aged 3-7 months.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two infants underwent 226 Hz tympanometry and spiral computerized tomography (CT) scans.
- Tympanometric results were compared with CT findings to determine concordance.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0.
Main Results:
- CT identified MEE in 57 out of 104 ears.
- The concordance rate between 226 Hz tympanometry and CT for diagnosing MEE was low (kappa=0.103).
- Specific tympanogram types (A, B, C, D) showed varied distributions in both normal and effusion ears.
Conclusions:
- 226 Hz tympanometry demonstrates limited diagnostic value for identifying middle ear fluid in infants under 7 months.
- Clinical use of 226 Hz tympanometry for MEE detection in this age group is not advised.
Objective:
To evaluate the diagnostic value of 226 Hz probe-tone tympanometry in infants with effusion in the middle ear.
Method:
Fifty-two infants aged 3 to 7 months were recruited as clinical subjects in a hearing-ability screening program. After a spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan, we tested their hearing using tympanometry of 226 Hz probe-tone frequency. We recorded the tympanograms and compared the tympanometric results with CT to get the concordance rate between tympanometry and CT diagnose. The date was analyzed by the statistic software SPSS16.0.
Result:
One hundred and four ears in 52 patients,CT tests showed normal in 47 middle ears, but middle ear effusion in 57 ears. Among normal 47 ears,24 ears were type "A" (51.06%), 1 ear type "B" (2.13%), 1 ear type "C" (2.13%), 21 ears type "D" (44.68%); among 57 ears with effusion, 44 ears was type "A" (77.19%), 2 ears type "B"(3.51%0), 11 ears type "D" (19. 30%); 226 Hz probe tone tympanograms and CT test results were consistent with lower rate, kappa=0.103.
Conclusion:
In clinical practice, 226 Hz tympanometry should not be recommended to determine the presence of middle ear fluid or not in infants younger than 7 months.
