Ultrasonographic evaluation of the external ear canal and tympanic membrane in dogs.
Ultrasonographic imaging of the canine external ear canal, tympanic membrane, and tympanic bulla was described in five healthy beagle dogs before and after infusion of saline into the ear canal. Saline served as an acoustic window. With this method, the external ear canal, and tympanic bulla were visible in the same imaging plane and the integrity of the tympanic membrane could be evaluated indirectly by confirming an intact tympanic membrane, which appeared at the end of the ear canal as a hyperechoic line with reverberation. Experimentally, perforated tympanic membrane could be evaluated by identifying anechoic saline in the tympanic bulla lumen. The air and fluid-filled tympanic bulla were also visualized. Ultrasonography with saline as an acoustic window appears to be helpful for the evaluation of the external ear canal, tympanic membrane, and tympanic bulla and it may have the potential to be a useful clinical tool in evaluation of integrity of the tympanic membrane.
Lee
Jeongmin
J
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 1370, Sangyeok-dong, Buk-ku, Daegu, Korea.
Eom
Kidong
K
Seong
Yunsang
Y
Lee
Haeoon
H
Park
Jinhee
J
Lee
Jongwon
J
Jang
Kwangho
K
Lee
Keunwoo
K
Oh
Taeho
T
Lee
Sanggwan
S
Yoon
Junghee
J
Lee
Heechun
H
Choi
Hojung
H
Lee
Younwon
Y
Chang
Dongwoo
D
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography