Quality Assessment of Tympanoplasty by Means of Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography

Introduction:

The endoscopic optical coherence tomography (eOCT) allows the direct, contactless representation and evaluation of the morphology and oscillation behaviour of the tympanic membrane and adjoining tympanic cavity content. After further development of the measuring technology, the eOCT will be able to be used in vivo for the assessment of tympanoplasty results.

Materials and Methods:

The eOCT was applied to 10 patients after a tympanoplasty with an intact ossicular chain and to 10 patients after a Type III tympanoplasty. The measurement data of the morphology – especially the thickness – and oscillation behaviour of the tympanic membrane and the prosthesis coupling to the eardrum were then analysed. Additionally, the results were compared to the audiometric data (especially the air-bone-gap).

Results:

In all patients, the eOCT measurement was able to be performed easily. Depending on the thickness of the eardrum and the extent of the eardrum reconstruction, different oscillation behaviour could be found. In addition, the prosthesis coupling to the eardrum could be demonstrated in all patients who underwent a Type III tympanoplasty. The EOCT data correlated with the audiometric data.

Conclusion:

Due to the further development of the eOCT, including the measuring technique, a qualitative and quantitative assessment regarding the eardrum oscillation behaviour, the eardrum morphology and the prosthesis coupling is possible. Thus, the result of a tympanoplasty by means of a single measurement can be measured both qualitatively and quantitatively, objectively.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)