Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the blood volume and blood flow in human tympanic membrane.
Hemoglobin concentration (IHb) and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (ISO2) were measured in 71 ears by using a tissue spectrum analyzer. Blood flow (Flow level) was measured in 40 ears by using a laser speckle flow meter. By using two fiber optic probes, these three parameters were measured in the tense part of the tympanic membrane.
A comparison was made between the measurements made with fiber probe touching the tympanic membrane and the measurements not touching it. Between two measuring patterns, there was no significant differentiation in three parameters, so we took non-touching tequnique.
IHb and Flow level had reproducibility between the first and second recordings. But ISO2 did not have clear reproducibility.
In normal tympanic membrane, IHb and Flow level were not significantly correlated (r=0.52).
IHb was 16±1.3 (Mean±SEM) in nomal cases, 17±4.6 in otitis media with effusion and 104±22.8 in acute otitis media. Flow level was 0.7±0.07 in nomal cases, 0.6±0.07 in otitis media with effusion and 2. 2±0.37 in acute otitis media.
It is considered that the measurement of hemoglobin concentration by using tissue spectrum analyzer and the measurement of blood flow by using laser speckle flow meter are useful in the studies of the pathophysiology of human tympanic membrane. tympanic membrane, blood flow,
Key words : otitis media with effusion, tissue spectrum analyzer, laser speckle flow meter
