Presumed reduction of acute ossicular subluxation by pneumatic otoscopy. Tympanometric evidence.

A 19-year-old college student sustained an otologic injury by striking the side of his face on water after diving off a 5-meter platform. Tympanometry performed immediately after the injury revealed a high-compliance notched tracing that reverted to normal after pneumatic otoscopy. Relevant experimental data on notched tracings in surgically induced ossicular discontinuity is reviewed. This case likely represents ossicular subluxation possibly related to previous otologic trauma and reduced during pneumatic otoscopy.