The correlation between otoscopy and otomicroscopy in acute otitis media during healing.

One hundred ears in 50 children were investigated independently by four otolaryngologists during healing of acute otitis media. Interobserver variations of the tympanic membrane were studied. Clinical findings with otoscopy were correlated with otomicroscopy. The investigation showed that there is a substantial interindividual variation in evaluation of the tympanic membrane. Otomicroscopy improves the diagnostic performance and reduces interobserver variations. Interobserver agreement was best for normal tympanic membranes.