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Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology

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30-05-2023 | Otoscopy | Original Article: General Research

In Vivo Optical Characterization of Middle Ear Effusions and Biofilms During Otitis Media

Authors: Jungeun Won, Guillermo L. Monroy, Pawjai Khampang, Ronit Barkalifa, Wenzhou Hong, Eric J. Chaney, Edita Aksamitiene, Ryan G. Porter, Michael A. Novak, Darold R. Spillman Jr., Joseph E. Kerschner, Stephen A. Boppart

Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology | Issue 3/2023

Abstract

Otitis media (OM), a common ear infection, is characterized by the presence of an accumulated middle ear effusion (MEE) in a normally air-filled middle ear cavity. While assessing the MEE plays a critical role in the overall management of OM, identifying and examining the MEE is challenging with the current diagnostic tools since the MEE is located behind the semi-opaque eardrum. The objective of this cross-sectional, observational study is to non-invasively visualize and characterize MEEs and bacterial biofilms in the middle ear. A portable, handheld, otoscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) system combined with novel analytical methods has been developed. In vivo middle ear OCT images were acquired from 53 pediatric subjects (average age of 3.9 years; all awake during OCT imaging) diagnosed with OM and undergoing a surgical procedure (ear tube surgery) to aspirate the MEE and aerate the middle ear. In vivo middle ear OCT acquired prior to the surgery was compared with OCT of the freshly extracted MEEs, clinical diagnosis, and post-operative evaluations. Among the subjects who were identified with the presence of MEEs, 89.6% showed the presence of the TM-adherent biofilm in in vivo OCT. This study provides an atlas of middle ear OCT images exhibiting a range of depth-resolved MEE features, which can only be visualized and assessed non-invasively through OCT. Quantitative metrics of OCT images acquired prior to the surgery were statistically correlated with surgical evaluations of MEEs. Measurements of MEE characteristics will provide new readily available information that can lead to improved diagnosis and management strategies for the highly prevalent OM in children.

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Title: In Vivo Optical Characterization of Middle Ear Effusions and Biofilms During Otitis Media
Authors: Jungeun Won
Guillermo L. Monroy
Pawjai Khampang
Ronit Barkalifa
Wenzhou Hong
Eric J. Chaney
Edita Aksamitiene
Ryan G. Porter
Michael A. Novak
Darold R. Spillman Jr.
Joseph E. Kerschner
Stephen A. Boppart
Publication date: 30-05-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Otoscopy
Published in: Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology / Issue 3/2023
Print ISSN: 1525-3961
Electronic ISSN: 1438-7573
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-023-00901-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

In Vivo Optical Characterization of Middle Ear Effusions and Biofilms During Otitis Media

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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