[Otologic determining factors on infra-red tympanic thermometry in children].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of different otoscopic findings on body thermometry in children using an infra-red tympanic thermometer.


METHODS
Body temperature was measured on healthy right and left ear canals with Thermoscan systems. Moreover, it was determined on children with altered otoscopy, companng to normal contralateral ear. To assess its diagnostic fiability, accuracy ratios were calculated in different temperatures.


RESULTS
Temperature measured bilaterally did not offer differences, and intra/interassay variation ratios were always less than 0.34%. Acute otitis externa increased tympanic thermometry a mean of 0.36 degrees C (p < 0.001), and cerumen and previously radical surgery decreased a mean of 0.62 and 0.53 degrees C, respectively (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The conditions mentioned before modify body thermometry if measured by infra-red tympanic thermometer. So, this system must be avoided in these circumstances. Otitis media, fluid in middle ear, tympanic perforation and ventilation tubes did not modify thermometric results.
García Callejo
F J
FJ
Servicio de ORL, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia. jgarciacall@hotmail.com
Platero Zamarreño
A
A
Sebastián Gil
E
E
Marco Sanz
M
M
Alpera Lacruz
R J
RJ
Martínez Beneyto
M P
MP
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004432:Ear, Middle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013821:Thermometers