[Ultrasound diagnosis in seromucinous otitis media (author's transl)]

A high frequency ultrasonic in an range from 8-10 MHz is totally reflected from surfaces with boundaries to air as well as from bone surfaces. This principle is utilized, in a fluid filled external acoustical meatus, to diagnose pathological changes in the tympanic cavum. An ultrasonic cannot penetrate a normal cavum tympani; however, if the cavum is entirely full with fluid or tissue matter, then an echographic answer can be obtained of the tympanic membrane and also the paries labyrinthicus of the tympanic cavum. This study examines the clinical possibilities of this non-invasive examination method and points out the various technical difficulties involved. The ultrasonics used in this study are totally harmless to the inner ear.