Loading…
Interpretation of Normal and Abnormal Tympanogram Findings in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Objective To characterize the relationship between objective tympanogram values and patient-reported symptoms and associations with common comorbid conditions. Study Design Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection. Setting Tertiary medical center. Methods Patients undergoing routine au...
Saved in:
Published in: | Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2021-06, Vol.164 (6), p.1272-1279 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Objective
To characterize the relationship between objective tympanogram values and patient-reported symptoms and associations with common comorbid conditions.
Study Design
Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection.
Setting
Tertiary medical center.
Methods
Patients undergoing routine audiometric evaluation between October 2018 and June 2019 were included. Participants with temporomandibular joint dysfunction, inner ear hydrops, and similar conditions were excluded. Symptoms were assessed with the 7-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire. Demographics and medical comorbidities were recorded from the medical record. Analysis of tympanometric peak pressure (TPP), demographics, and comorbidities was performed to determine associations with clinically significant eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) symptoms.
Results
A total of 250 patients were included with similar demographics: 101 (40.4%) in the asymptomatic group and 149 (59.6%) in the symptomatic group. The median (interquartile range) TPP was –10 (20) daPa and –25 (100) daPa in the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, respectively. A diagnosis of rhinitis was more likely to be associated with significant ETD symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.23-5.63). A subgroup analysis revealed that symptomatic patients with normal TPP values were negatively skewed as compared with asymptomatic patients. This symptomatic group had a higher prevalence of rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis than the asymptomatic group.
Conclusion
Patients with symptoms of ETD may have a TPP within a range typically considered normal per conventional standards. This suggests that the currently accepted interpretation of tympanometry findings may be insensitive for the diagnosis of less severe cases of ETD. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0194-5998 1097-6817 |
DOI: | 10.1177/0194599820965236 |