What is Otoendoscopy?
Otoendoscopy is a video-graphic examination of the ear with an endoscope and a camera.
Is Otoendoscopy a painful procedure?
It is painless procedure and doesn’t require anesthesia.
Why is Otoendoscopy done?
Videos are excellent aides for explaining the disease process to the patients and their families. The treatment is based on the findings.
What all conditions can be identified on Otoendoscopy?
Few examples of the ear diseases or findings that can be identified on otoscopy are:
- Otomycosis (fungal infection of the ear): Black, white, grey or green colored fungal spore may be seen on endoscopy.
- Otitis media with effusion: bubbles and air fluid levels are seen behind an intact tympanic membrane.
- Ear drum perforations: size and location of the perforations can be documented.
- Cholesteatoma: these can present as a small perforation with a white mass seen behind the ear drum.
- Myringosclerosis: white plaque like discoloration of the ear drum.
- Glomus tympanicum: a reddish mass seen behind an intact ear drum.
- Foreign body can be visualized and removed under vision.
- Eustachian tube function assessment: on performing Valsalva manoeuvre intact tympanic membrane is seen to move.
Role of Otoendoscopy in treatment:
Foreign body removal, wax removal, suction and clearance of discharge from the ear and post mastoidectomy cavity care can be safely done under endoscopic guidance. Intra-tympanic injections can also be given safely when indicated.
With help of an endoscopic examination of the ear prior to treatment a baseline status is established. As treatment is given, the effectiveness and response can be documented with successive recordings. Treatment can be changed or added upon depending on the changes.
Lastly, it also forms an excellent tool for assessing surgical outcomes because comparison can be made between before and after surgery videos.