Otoscopy compared with tympanometry: an evaluation of the accuracy of simple otoscopy.
BACKGROUND
Although otoscopy has been shown to compare favourably with results of tympanometry the actual diagnostic value of otoscopy for otitis media with effusion (OME) has not been evaluated in Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of otoscopy in the diagnosis of OME as compared with tympanometry.


METHODS
It was a prospective hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study in which the results of simple otoscopy were compared with results of the tympanometry of 82 ears of children aged between 6 months and 12 years, who presented to the Otolaryngology clinics of the UNTH Enugu with symptoms of obstructive adenoid enlargement.


RESULTS
Simple otoscopy produced 84.4% agreement with tympanometry in detecting OME. The agreement was better in older children than the younger ones (P < 0.05). Simple otoscopy was more specific in detecting ears considered normal than abnormal ears. Among the abnormal ears, otoscopy was more sensitive in its detection of OME than negative middle ear pressure. Retraction of the tympanic membrane was the most specific otologic finding in detection of OME.


CONCLUSIONS
Simple otoscopy is comparable to the accuracy of tympanometry in the diagnosis of OME.
Orji
F T
FT
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria.
Mgbor
N C
NC
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis*; D038781:Otoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results