title: Tympanometry-detection of middle ear pathologies.
abstract: Two component susceptance-conductance tympanometry at a probe tone frequency of 660 Hz is superior to admittance tympanometry at 220 Hz for the detection of an ossicular discontinuity, a luxation or a necrosis. It is, however, essential to understand well the difference between non-pathological W-patterns and pathological broad multi-extrema tympanograms. The systematics of normal W-patterns is reviewed and the influence of the sign and magnitude of the pumpspeed on the shape of both types of tympanograms is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000379:methods; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004429:Ear Ossicles; D004432:Ear, Middle; D006801:Humans