Assessment of tympanic membrane perforation size using ImageJ software by ENT clinicians of different grades.

OBJECTIVE

To compare visual estimation versus ImageJ calculation of tympanic membrane perforation size in the paediatric population between clinicians of different experience.

METHODS

Five images of tympanic membrane perforations in children, captured using an otoendoscope, were selected. The gold standard was the ImageJ results by one consultant otologist. Consultants, registrars and Senior House Officers or equivalent were asked to visually estimate and calculate the perforation size using ImageJ software.

RESULTS

The mean difference in variation from gold standard between visual estimation and ImageJ calculation was 12.16 per cent, 95 per cent CI (10.55, 13.78) p < 0.05, with ImageJ providing a more accurate estimation of perforation. Registrars were significantly more accurate at visual estimation than senior house officers. There was no statistically significant difference in ImageJ results between the different grades.

CONCLUSION

Using ImageJ software is more accurate at estimating tympanic membrane perforation size than visual assessment for all ENT clinicians regardless of experience.