Middle Ear Imaging via the Eustachian Tube with a Superfine Fiberoptic Videomicroendoscope

• Published in: O.R.L. Journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 30 - 34
• Main Authors: Karhuketo, Tapio S., Puhakka, Heikki J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.1998; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Ear, Middle - anatomy & histology; Endoscopes; Endoscopy; Ent; Eustachian Tube; Fiber Optic Technology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Middle ear; Fiberoptic endoscopy; Eustachian tube; Human; Exploration; Endoscopy; Technique; Video recording; Bibliographic review; Optical fiber
• ISSN: 0301-1569; 1423-0275
• DOI: 10.1159/000027559

The aim of this study was to systemically evaluate the visualization of the middle ear structures with a superfine fiberoptic videomicroendoscope introduced via the eustachian tube. With the permission of the Finnish Ministry of Health ten temporal bone blocks were dissected from lately succumbed patients. An Olympus AF-8 (0.8 mm outer diameter) angiofiberscope was used. The AF-8 fiberoptic videomicroendoscope is a straightforward-looking endoscope with a 55° field of view. The endoscope tip was introduced through the eustachian tube into the middle ear and the middle ear structures were visualized and counted. Forty-three anatomical structures were listed and the results presented in a categorized table. Nineteen anatomical objects among 43 were never observed in any temporal bone block. The rest of the anatomical structures were visualized to varying degrees.