[Multifrequency tympanometry in Meniere's disease: preliminary results].

Tympanometry with 220 Hz probe tone mainly measures compliance related components of the middle ear. Only higher frequency probe tones provide information on mass related components. In order to study the behavior of the mass related components in endolymphatic hydrops, the Authors tested 15 Ménière's disease patients and 10 healthy subjects using multifrequency tympanometry. In both groups tympanometry with 220 and 678 Hz probe tone was employed to evaluate resonance frequency. The presence of a "camel hump" ([symbol: see text]) pattern obtained with the 678 Hz probe tone test indicated an elastic tympano-ossicular system (low point of middle ear resonance); the presence of an inverted "V" ([symbol: see text]) pattern showed a more rigid system (high point of middle ear resonance). In Ménière's disease carriers multifrequency tympanometry revealed 21 ears (70%) with a resonance frequency higher and 6 (20%) lower than 678 Hz. Three patterns (10%) were not classifiable. In the healthy group resonance frequency resulted lower than 678 Hz in 23 ears (57.5%); in 13 ears higher (32.5%). Four patterns (10%) were not classifiable. In Ménière's disease carriers the tympanometric patterns found with 678 Hz probe tone indicated the presence of a more rigid tympano-ossicular system.