[Laser doppler interferometry, a new clinical instrument?].

INTRODUCTION

In a prospective trial, the diagnostic value of laser Doppler interferometry (LDI) was analysed in the clinical sphere.

METHOD: LDI was compared with standard audiometry for preoperative differential diagnosis of a conductive hearing loss. The intraoperative diagnosis was considered the gold standard.

RESULTS

LDI was applicable in the clinical sphere and allowed, in contrast to standard audiological methods, a statistically highly significant differentiation of middle ear pathologies.

CONCLUSION

LDI is a valuable addition to standard audiology for preoperative evaluation of the integrity and mobility of the ossicular chain.