Acoustic Reflectometry in Discrimination of Otoscopic Diagnoses in Young Ambulatory Children

作者:Laine Miia K; Tahtinen Paula A; Helenius Kjell K; Luoto Raakel; Ruohola Aino*
来源:Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2012, 31(10): 1007-1011.
DOI:10.1097/INF.0b013e31825caf45

摘要

Background: Studies concerning spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) have analyzed middle ear effusion only as 1 entity. The usefulness of SG-AR to detect specific otoscopic diagnoses of otitis media in young children is unknown. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Among 515 children aged 6-35 months, we compared SG-AR with pneumatic otoscopy and evaluated the proportions of 5 manufacturerrecommended SG-AR levels in relation to specific otoscopic diagnoses in 2802 and 1240 examinations at symptomatic and asymptomatic visits, respectively. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: At symptomatic visits, when the angle value was %26gt;95 degrees (level 1), healthy middle ear was diagnosed in 76% of otoscopic examinations and acute otitis media in 5%. Levels 2 (70-95 degrees) and 3 (60-69 degrees) did not relate to any otoscopic diagnosis. Levels 4 and 5 associated with acute otitis media in 50% and 64%, and otitis media with effusion in 33% and 32% of examinations, respectively. At asymptomatic visits, levels 1, 2 and 3 were associated with healthy middle ear in 87%, 71% and 54% of examinations, respectively. With levels 4 and 5, otitis media with effusion was diagnosed in 62% and 79% of examinations, respectively. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: SG-AR is not useful in making specific otoscopic diagnoses. Although the extremities of 5 SG-AR levels are able to differentiate ears with and without effusion, SG-AR is not able to differentiate acute otitis media from otitis media with effusion. Therefore, SG-AR can aid in diagnostics, but careful pneumatic otoscopy is needed to determine accurate diagnoses.

  • 出版日期2012-10