What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective study on 18 adults (36 ears) undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to determine the incidence of middle ear barotrauma and assess the predictive value of the nine-step inflation/deflation test and otoscopy.
What They Found
After 7 days of HBOT, middle ear barotrauma occurred in 12 of 18 patients (66.7%) and 18 of 36 ears (50.0%). While the nine-step inflation/deflation tests were not predictive (p=0.095 before, p=0.099 after), otoscopic findings immediately after the first HBOT session were highly predictive, showing 83% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing HBOT should receive an otoscopic examination immediately after their first session to assess for early signs of barotrauma. Identifying even minor pathologic findings can help clinicians implement prophylactic measures to prevent further middle ear complications during continued therapy.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by its small sample size of 18 patients and single-center design.