title: Ultrasonography versus radiography for detection of fluid in the canine tympanic bulla.
abstract: The tympanic bullae of 20 previously healthy cadaver animals were randomly filled with sterile saline or air. The heads were positioned using tape ties and a rostrocaudal open mouth radiograph taken. The resulting radiographs were assessed by a blinded ECVDI diplomate, with each tympanic bulla being recorded as being either air or fluid filled. Ultrasound examination of the bullae was performed, by a blinded assessor, using a B-mode 5 mHz sector probe (Sonotron-VingMed Sound A/S, PO Box 141, N3191, Horten, Norway) operating at 3 mHz. Each bulla was recorded as being either air or fluid filled. Results of radiography and ultrasonography were each compared to the actual status of the bulla in a chi square analysis. Sensitivity of radiography was 80%, with specificity of 65%. Ultrasonographic sensitivity was 100% and specificity 100%. Ultrasonography may in future provide a cheap, noninvasive, rapid and widely available method for diagnosing otitis media in clinical cases.
authors.affiliation: The University of Liverpool, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, Small Animal Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 7EX, England.
authors.forename: Leigh G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Turlough
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Stewart W J
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography