The value of impedance testing in diagnosis of middle ear effusion

An attempt is made to evaluate the role of impedance testing and pure tone audiometry in the diagnosis of middle ear effusions in children, by comparing the clinical predictions and the audiological predictions with the myringotomy findings. A number of cases are found to have unexpectedly dry middle ears, thus leading to a lower correlation rate for impedance testing in prediction of effusions, than in other published series. The possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.