[Multifrequency tympanometry in Meniere's disease: preliminary results]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Tympanometry with a 220 Hz probe tone primarily assesses middle ear compliance.
• Higher frequency probe tones are necessary to evaluate mass-related components of the middle ear.
• Endolymphatic hydrops, a condition associated with Ménière's disease, may affect these mass-related components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavior of mass-related components in the tympano-ossicular system of patients with Ménière's disease.
• To compare multifrequency tympanometry findings between Ménière's disease patients and healthy subjects.
• To evaluate the resonance frequency and tympanic system's elasticity/rigidity in both groups.

Main Methods:

• Multifrequency tympanometry was performed on 15 patients with Ménière's disease and 10 healthy subjects.
• Probe tones of 220 Hz and 678 Hz were used to assess middle ear resonance frequency.
• Tympanometric patterns, such as "camel hump" (elastic system) and inverted "V" (rigid system), were analyzed.

Main Results:

• In Ménière's disease patients, 70% showed a resonance frequency higher than 678 Hz, indicating a more rigid tympano-ossicular system.
• In healthy subjects, 57.5% had a resonance frequency lower than 678 Hz, suggesting a more elastic system.
• A significant proportion of Ménière's disease patients presented with tympanometric patterns indicative of a rigid tympano-ossicular system.

Conclusions:

• Multifrequency tympanometry, particularly with a 678 Hz probe tone, provides valuable insights into the mass-related components of the middle ear.
• Ménière's disease is associated with a more rigid tympano-ossicular system compared to healthy individuals.
• This finding may contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease.