Traditional vs Video Oto-Endoscopy

Traditional Otoscopy (पुराना Method):

• Doctor handheld otoscope से देखते हैं
• Light + magnifying lens
• Only doctor देख सकता है
• Patient को describe करना पड़ता है: “थोड़ा लाल है”, “infection hai”
• Patient often skeptical: “सच में problem है या doctor exaggerate कर रहे हैं?”
• Limited magnification
• No documentation

Video Oto-Endoscopy (आधुनिक Method):

• HD camera ear canal में
• Live video TV screen पर
• 10-20x magnification – minute details visible
• Everyone can see: Patient, family, doctor
• Doctor real-time explain करते हैं pointing on screen
• Images/video saved – before/after treatment comparison
• Medical-legal documentation
• Patient satisfaction high – they SEE their problem

What Video Otoscopy Shows

Normal Healthy Ear:

• Ear Canal: Pink, clean
• Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane):
  • Pearl-grey color
  • Translucent (कुछ transparent)
  • Cone of light visible (light reflex – triangular bright area)
  • Malleus (bone) shadow visible through drum
  • No redness, no holes, no fluid behind

Common Abnormalities Visible:

1. Wax Impaction:

• Brown/yellow/dark wax blocking canal
• Can be soft या hard (impacted)
• आप screen पर देख सकते हैं कितना wax है
• After cleaning, before-after comparison impressive!

2. Acute Otitis Media (Ear Infection):

• Eardrum red, bulging
• No cone of light
• Sometimes fluid/pus visible behind drum
• Patient देख सकता है inflammation

3. Eardrum Perforation:

• Hole visible in eardrum
• Can see middle ear cavity through hole
• Size, location documented
• Before/after surgery comparison possible

4. Chronic Ear Disease (CSOM):

• Perforation + pus discharge
• Granulation tissue (red fleshy growth)
• Cholesteatoma (if present – white mass)
• Helps decide surgical need

5. Otomycosis (Fungal Infection):

• Black/white cotton-wool like growth
• Very impressive on video – patient immediately understands “fungus hai”
• After cleaning, dramatic improvement visible

6. Otitis Media with Effusion (OME):

• Dull, retracted eardrum
• Amber/blue fluid level sometimes visible behind drum
• Air-fluid level (if lucky angle)

7. Foreign Body:

• Especially children – beads, insects, cotton piece
• Clear visualization
• Helps plan removal

8. Tympanosclerosis:

• White chalky patches on eardrum
• Result of previous infections

Procedure – क्या होता है?

Equipment:

• Oto-endoscope: Thin rigid/flexible instrument
• HD camera at tip
• Light source
• Connected to TV monitor/computer

Steps:

Step 1: Patient Positioning

• Sit comfortably
• Head turned to side

Step 2: Scope Insertion

• Doctor gently pulls ear upward-backward (straightens canal)
• Scope slowly inserted into ear canal
• No pain (unless infection already causing pain)

Step 3: Examination

• Live video on screen
• Doctor navigates scope
• Shows different parts: Canal, drum, etc
• Explains findings: “Yeh dekho – eardrum red hai”, “Yahaan hole hai”
• Patient and family watch and understand

Step 4: Documentation

• Photos/video captured
• Saved in patient file
• Future comparison

Duration:

• 2-3 minutes per ear
• Quick and easy

Advantages Over Traditional:

For Patients:

• See and understand: Visual = better comprehension
• Trust builds: “Doctor sach bol rahe hain, maine khud dekha”
• Treatment compliance better: Understanding → motivation
• Educational: Learn about their ear

For Doctors:

• Accurate diagnosis: Better visualization
• Documentation: Medical-legal
• Teaching tool: Medical students, residents
• Treatment planning: Size, extent clear
• Follow-up comparison: “देखो, पहले कितना infection था, अब ठीक हो गया”

When Video Otoscopy is Used

Routine Examination:

• हर ear consultation में
• Initial assessment

Specific Indications:

• Ear pain, discharge: See infection extent
• Hearing loss: Check for wax, perforation
• Chronic ear disease: Document perforation, cholesteatoma
• Pre-operative: Before ear surgery
• Post-operative: Check healing
• Wax removal: Before/after
• Foreign body: Localize and plan removal
• Medico-legal cases: Documentation

Patient Testimonials