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Otoscope Exam
Aka: Otoscope Exam, Otoscopy, Pneumatic Otoscopy, Tympanic Membrane exam
- See Also
- Tympanometry
- Preparation
- Adequate viewing requires >100 foot candles light
- Change otoscope bulbs periodically (after 20h use)
- Technique: Observation
- Assessment of Tympanic Membrane
- Color and Appearance
- Yellow (amber) serous fluid behind TM
- Suggests Serous Otitis Media
- Air bubbles may also be seen in serous otitis
- Marked erythema may suggest Acute Otitis Media
- Fever and crying can also bring this on
- Landmarks obscured
- Suggests Acute Otitis Media
- Position
- Bulging TM suggests Acute Otitis Media
- Retracted TM suggests Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
- Mobility
- Immobile TM suggests effusion
- Assessment of canal
- Technique: Air insufflation (Pneumatic Otoscopy)
- Requires airtight seal (Rubber tipped specula)
- Avoid excessive pneumatic pressure
- Bulb used to blow air against Tympanic Membrane
- May also blow air into IV extension tubing
- Male end fitting into side of Otoscope
- Female end of tube in mouth
- Suck on tubing
- Blowing into tube fogs lens