title: Laser Doppler vibrometry measurements of human cadaveric tympanic membrane vibration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of measuring tympanic membrane (TM) vibrations at multiple locations on the TM to differentiate normal eardrums from those with associated ossicular pathologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric human temporal bone study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic science laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mastoidectomy and facial recess approach was performed on four cadaveric temporal bones to obtain access to the ossicles without disrupting the TM. Ossicles were palpated to ensure normal mobility and an intact ossicular chain. Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) measurements were then taken on all four TMs. LDV measurements were repeated on each TM following stapes footplate fixation, incudo-stapedial joint dislocation, and malleus head fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  LDV measurements of TM vibration at the umbo, the lateral process of the malleus, and in each of the four quadrants of the TM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The best signal-to-noise ratios were found between 2 and 4 kHz, at the umbo, the anterior superior quadrant, the anterior inferior quadrant, and the posterior inferior quadrant. Since our goal was to assess the ossicular chain, we selected the TM locations closest to the ossicular chain (the umbo and lateral process of the malleus) for further analysis. Differences could be seen between normals and the simulated ossicular pathologies, but values were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LDV measurements are technically challenging and require optimization to obtain consistent measurements. This study demonstrates the potential of LDV to differentiate ossicular pathologies behind an intact tympanic membrane. Future studies will further characterize the clinical role of this diagnostic modality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. Sumit.Agrawal@lhsc.on.ca.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beyea
authors.forename: Seyed Alireza
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rohani
authors.forename: Hanif M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ladak
authors.forename: Sumit K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agrawal
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D002102:Cadaver; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014732:Vibration