Pneumatic otoscopy in infants and children.

The pneumatic otoscope is indispensable in evaluating pressure within the middle ear of infants and children by measuring the tympanic membrane mobility. If the eardrum moves normally in response to positive and negative pressure, then a significant ear effusion, suppurative or nonsuppurative, is highly unlikely. Tympanic membrane color, luster, translucence, and light reflex should therefore be correlated with mobility before any decisions regarding therapy are made. In addition, the pneumatic otoscope with a veterinary otic speculum appears to be a simple and safe way to evaluate the vagina and rectum of infants and young children.