Otoscopy is nothing more than ear endoscopy performed by a doctor - usually an ENT specialist, if he suspects middle ear disease. Using an otoscope, he can assess the structure of the ear canal and examine the eardrum. When and how is the ear scan done?

Otoscopy( ear speculum ) is one of the basic tests for patients who visit a doctor with ear pain. An otoscope is used for endoscopy, which consists of a handle, a light-emitting head and a conical speculum (disposable or reusable), which can be of various sizes, usually from 2.2 mm to 4 mm as standard, but there are also sizes up to 10 mm.

It is always selected individually, depending on the width of the patient's ear canal, because it must be remembered that a speculum with a too small diameter may be inserted too deep and cause discomfort, while too large may result in the eardrum not being visible enough .

One of the most important elements of an otoscope is the light it emits, thanks to which the doctor can carefully inspect the condition of the middle ear and observe all disturbing changes. Equally important is the magnifying glass mounted in the head of the otoscope, which enables two or even three times magnification of the viewed image.

Otoscopy - indications for the examination

The otoscopic examination is one of the basic diagnostics aimed at recognizing diseases of the middle ear, and the indications for otoscopy are, above all, ear pain. It can be caused by a wide variety of diseases, the most common being acute otitis media, complications after a viral infection, a foreign body in the ear or wax plugs.

Your doctor will pay attention to any changes in the appearance of the eardrum. Its thickening, hyperemia, swelling, redness, unevenness or various types of exudation (e.g. earwax, blood, pus) is a signal to the doctor that it is dealing with inflammation and will order further diagnostics or implement appropriate treatment.

In young patients, however, it is recommended that an ear scan is a routine examination, especially in children who have an upper respiratory tract infection, even if they do not experience ear pain or discomfort.

Moreover, some pediatricians believe thatthat otoscopy should be performed as standard during each examination, even of he althy children, as part of the prevention of diseases related to the hearing aid.

Otoscopy - what is the examination?

The examination is not painful and does not require any special preparations. The doctor selects an appropriately sized speculum and, slightly stretching the auricle to straighten the ear canal, inserts it into the patient's ear.

Due to the fact that the otoscope emits light and the doctor gently moves it, he can carefully examine and assess the condition of the eardrum. In addition, some otoscopes have a special balloon and specula with soft tips that seal the ear canal, making it possible to assess the mobility of the eardrum.

It is an important element of diagnostics, allowing the diagnosis of many diseases. During the examination with the otoscope, young children should be properly held by their guardian so that the examination goes smoothly and painlessly.

To do this, place the child on his lap, turn him sideways and hold his shoulders with one hand, and with the other hand slightly tilt the toddler's head, holding it above the ear. Sometimes the doctor may also ask to put the child on the couch, because it makes it easier for him to perform the examination.

Otoscopy - what diseases can be diagnosed?

Thanks to otoscopy it is possible to diagnose many more or less dangerous diseases, including:

  • acute otitis media
  • complications after viral infection
  • foreign body in the outer ear
  • wax pins
  • ear trauma, including barotrauma
  • tympanic membrane perforation
  • haemorrhagic otitis
  • Congenital cholesteatoma
  • cancer

Otoscopy - contraindications

Otoscopy is a non-invasive test, therefore there are no clear contraindications to its performance. Certainly, it all depends on the patient's condition, because if we are dealing with a strong otitis media, the examination must be carried out extremely gently so as not to expose the patient to additional pain.

Category:

Research