RT Book, Section
A1 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 57717638
T1 Chapter 167. Tympanocentesis
T2 Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e
YR 2013
FD 2013
PB The McGraw-Hill Companies
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-161352-1
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57717638
RD 2020/04/08
AB Tympanocentesis,  first  described  in  1768,  is  a  diagnostic  and  therapeutic  procedure  in  which  a  needle  is  inserted  through  the  tympanic  membrane  to  aspirate  fluid  from  the  middle  ear  space  (Figure  167-1).  The  procedure  is  considered  diagnostic  when  the  material  obtained  is  sent  for  laboratory  and/or  microbiological  analysis.  It  is  considered  therapeutic  in  most  instances  because  it  relieves  pressure,  thereby  reducing  pain  and  many  times  shortens  the  course  of  an  acute  otitis  media  (AOM).