RESUMO
Standard tympanometry provides a valuable tool for evaluating middle ear abnormalities although it often fails to distinguish different pathologies that effect the ossicular chain. Multi-frequency tympanometry [MFT] has made it possible. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of MFT for distinguishing chronic middle ear pathologies. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients. One ear was selected from each patient [60 ears] and was classified into 4 groups according to the type of their middle ear pathology adhesive otitis media; middle ear effusion; atelectasis and retraction pocket. The following parameters were elicited from MFT: static admittance, resonant frequency, and phase angle. The clinical results were compared with the operative findings. There is significant difference between resonant frequency and phase angle of 4 groups. No statistical correlation exists between phase angle and resonant frequency. The operative results of MFT are correlated with the operative findings. The most significant parameter derived from MFT to distinguish between the 4 groups seems to be the resonant frequency