title: A clinical profile of otitis media without an intact tympanic membrane.
abstract: An otitis media with effusion algorithm developed by Paradise et al has become the basis for many studies of otitis media. However, it has been shown to be too ambitious (low specificity) and too optimistic (absence of fluid does not necessarily mean normal ears). We developed a four-point profile to characterize the condition of the middle ear, but it cannot be used when the eardrum is perforated (with a functioning tube or chronic perforation). We propose a three-point profile for use without an intact tympanic membrane, and we report the validation of the profile by findings at myringotomy and by the preoperative profile. This postoperative profile and the previously described profile for ears with an intact tympanic membrane should increase the accuracy of middle ear assessment in following the course of otitis media over time.
authors.affiliation: Otitis Media Research Center, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Giebink
mesh_terms: D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D009225:Myringoplasty; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000150:complications*