Endoscopic Treatment of Ear Diseases - Interventional Otoscopy

Interventional otoscopy allows new specific diagnostic and treatment options and a reduction of invasive conventional surgical procedures. Advanced diagnostic imaging like computed tomography in combination with modern videoscopic equipment expands the field of indications for minimal invasive procedures in the ear.

The medial part of the external auditory canal, the tympanic membrane and the tympanic cavity including its opening into the nasopharynx can be assessed easily with appropriate rigid endoscopes. Modern video-otoscopy in combination with interventional techniques allows very precise specimen collection and biopsies as well as minimally invasive surgery within an area that was not easily accessible so far.

Diagnostic procedures

1. Examination of the medial part of the external auditory canal, the lateral surface of tympanic membrane. The latter is translucent and may allow a visual impression of the mesotympanum.
2. After tympanocentesis or in cases with perforated tympanic membrane it is possible to examine dorsally: the epitympanum (epitympanic recess) with the auditory ossicles, medially: the mesotympanum with tympanic membrane and the opening of the auditory tube that connects to the nasopharynx and ventrally: the hypotympanum with the mucosa of the tympanic bulla. In the literature a classification solely between cavum tympani proper and epitympanic recess is also described.  [...]