Modified schema for classifying positive-pressure tympanograms.
Tympanograms with peaks located in the high-positive air pressure range (greater than or equal to 50 mm H2O) are infrequently recorded in clinical practice and have been little discussed in the literature. Such tympanograms accounted for 1.2% of a series of 8,011 tympanograms recorded at various times from 1,556 subjects ranging in age from 7 months through 12 years. Correlations between otoscopic diagnoses and tympanometric findings in the case of 65 of the high-positive air pressure tympanograms form the basis of the present report. Of the 65 high-positive air pressure tympanograms, 51 showed relatively high compliance (less than or equal to 5.5 Madsen units), and of these 46 (90%) were associated with ears considered normal otoscopically. Fourteen of the high-positive air pressure tympanograms showed low compliance (greater than 5.5 Madsen units), and of these, six (43%) were associated with ears considered normal, six (43%) with ears showing signs of acute infection, and two (14%) with ears in which the presence of effusion seemed probable. A previously presented zonal schema for classifying tympanograms has been modified on the basis of these findings.
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000145:classification*; D000399:Air Pressure; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003187:Compliance; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies