Middle ear status at myringotomy and its relationship to middle ear immitance measurements.

Middle ear status at myringotomy was compared to middle ear immitance measurements in 76 ears. Clinical features examined included plane and mobility of the tympanic membrane, amount of effusion, and status of the middle ear mucosa. Middle ear effusion yielded the strongest relationship with immitance results. Plane and mobility of the tympanic membrane were not strongly related with clinical immitance data. Tympanometry and acoustic reflex threshold were found to be the best indicators of the presence of middle ear effusion.