gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The aim of our research was to study the restoration of the middle ear ventilation after acute otitis media in infants.

Materials and methods: The method of acoustic impedansometry was used for examination of 30 infants in the stage of clinical recovery after acute otitis media.

Results: The obtained results show that irrespective of the suffered form of otitis the incidence of the D type tympanogram is high, it being accompanied by registration of acoustic reflexes, which was noted after a purulent form of the disease in 58% (n=11/19), after a catarrhal one – in 54% (n=14/ 26). This type of tympanogram also prevailed in a healthy ear – 60% (n= 9/15). There should also be noted a tendency to registration of flattened forms of tympanograms «types С, В, Аs» in this age group. The type A tympanogram with a sharp peak was registered only in 7 cases comprising 12%. Registration of acoustic reflexes in all types of tympanograms, except В, testifies to proper restoration of the middle ear ventilation after otitis media. At the same time the appearance of flattened types of tympanograms, especially with two peaks, does not exclude the possibility of the mucoid tissue response to inflammation.

The performed investigation allows to state quick restoration of the middle ear ventilation after acute otitis media, that is the D type tympanogram occurred with the same frequency both in a healthy ear and after the disease.

Conclusions: Registration of the D type tympanogram should be attributed to specificities of acoustic imnpedansometry in infants, which is most probably associated with the presence of the myxoid tissue in the middle ear in children of the given age group.