The endoscopic optical coherencetomography in middle ear diagnostics – the first clinical experience

Introduction:

The optical coherencetomography (OCT) is a measuring method for non-contact evaluation of oscillation behaviour of ear drum, morphology and additionaly of the adjacent part of tympanic cavity. After development of an endoscopic OCT-measuring device (EOCT), we demonstrate the first measurement results of various middle ear pathologies.

Methods:

Volunteers and patients with typical middle ear pathologies (middle ear effusion, tube ventilation disturbance, otitis media, cholesteatoma, perforated ear drum and after tympanoplasty) were exemplary measured using the EOCT. Thereafter, the data on eardrum morphology, oscillation behaviour and possible conclusions about the contents of the tympanic cavity were evaluated in comparison to healthy subjects.

Results:

The results of EOCT-measurements demonstrate various oscillation behaviour of ear drum according to different pathologies with high resolution. Moreover, the morphological alterations of ear drum, especially the thickness, could be shown, sized and be assessed pathology specific in relation to the oscillation behaviour. In addition, the adjacent tympanic cavity content could be displayed.

Conclusion:

The developed EOCT enables a non-contact and exact presentation of ear drum morphology, oscillation behaviour and the adjacent tympanic cavity content. Further studies for the routine application of EOCT in clinical practice and routine diagnostic of middle ear are performing. But the first results are demonstrated the potential to differ the fluid in middle ear and this could change the treatment strategy.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)