In the realm of ear health, accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, especially when dealing with conditions that can lead to hearing loss. Traditionally, otolaryngologists have relied on the otoscope, a device that provides a limited view of the eardrum's surface. This conventional tool, while useful, has its limitations, particularly when the tympanic membrane (TM) is opaque due to disease.
Enter a groundbreaking advancement from the University of Southern California's Caruso Department of Otolaryngology: a portable OCT otoscope that integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the traditional otoscope, to improve diagnostic capabilities in hearing clinics. As reported in Journal of Biomedical Optics , the integrated device allows clinicians to obtain detailed views of both the surface and the deeper structures of the eardrum and middle ear, enabling a more comprehensive picture of ear health and improving diagnostic accuracy. Traditional otoscopes only allow for a superficial examination of the TM, often missing deeper pathologies.
In contrast, the OCT otoscope combines the familiar otoscopic view with high-resolution imaging of the inner structures of the TM and middle ear (ME), offering a clearer and more comprehensive view, which can help in diagnosing conditions that were previously missed. This state-of-the-art device features a 7.4 mm field of view and impressive lateral and axial resolutions of 38 micrometers and 33.
4 micrometers, respectively. I.