Otoscopic and tympanometric findings in infants with cleft lip and palate

Tympanometry plays a fundamental role in the identification of middle ear alterations, which are frequent in the population with cleft lip and palate. AIM: do a retrospective analysis of the otoscopy and tympanometric exams of infants with cleft lip and palate who were not operated. Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we analyzed 273 charts from infants with cleft lip and palate whom, from March 1996 to April of 2002 underwent pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry with a 226 Hz probe. RESULTS: We did not find statistical significance in the otoscopic and tympanometric findings considering ears and genders. We observed 84% of alterations in otoscopy (opacification/83.4%, visible fluid in the middle ear /1.5%, the ear drum does not move during inflation /1.8 and retraction/0.7) and 65% in tympanometric curves (B/38%), A/36.5%, As/21%, C/4% and Ad/0.5%). CONCLUSION: female and male infants with cleft lip and palate did not differ as far as otoscopic and tympanometry findings are concerned. All types of tympanometric curves were present, and types A and B were the most frequent ones. Ear drum opacification was the most frequent otoscopic finding. Pneumatic otoscopy identified a larger number of alterations when compared to conventional tympanometry.