Pulse Volume Recordings in Outer Ear Canal in Pulse Synchronous Tinnitus:A Comparison between Ears with Glomus Tumour, Serous Otitis Media, and Normal Ears

Abstract

With the aid of a volume flowmeter it is possible to record pulse synchronous volumetric changes in the outer ear canal. In 7 ears with glomus tumour in the tympanic cavity and in 5 with serous otitis media, such changes were larger than in 125 persons with a normal middle ear. By changing the ambient pressure in a pressure chamber and instructing the patients not to swallow, the drum can be pushed inward or outward. In all the cases of glomus tumour studied the pulse volumetric change was considerably affected when the drum was pushed inward or outward. In the normal patients the change was only small and in the 5 cases of serous otitis media there was no change at all. This means that the pulse volume changes in normals are generated mainly by the vessels in the outer ear canal.