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Bizarre "sawtooth" tympanogram in a patient with otitis media
J L Kessler1, C B MacDonald, L C Cox
1Department of Otolaryngology, Boston University Medical Center, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|September 11, 1998
Summary
A patient experienced a unique "sawtooth" tympanogram due to otitis media and eustachian tube dysfunction. Tympanoplasty successfully restored normal middle ear function and tympanometry results.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Otitis media is a common middle ear infection.
- Tympanometry is a standard audiological test measuring middle ear function.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction can affect middle ear pressure and hearing.
Observation:
- A patient presented with an unusual "sawtooth" pattern on tympanometry.
- Diagnosis included acute otitis media with a small perforation.
- A persistent perforation and patulous eustachian tube were noted after infection resolution.
Findings:
- The sawtooth tympanogram correlated with acute otitis media and perforation.
- Patulous eustachian tube dysfunction was identified.
- Surgical tympanoplasty resolved the perforation and normalized tympanometry.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare tympanometric finding associated with specific middle ear pathologies.
- Understanding unusual tympanogram patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Successful surgical intervention can restore normal middle ear function and audiological test results.
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