METHODIC ASPECTS OF OBSERVATIONS OF RAPID EARDRUM MOTIONS UPON CHANGES IN STATIC PRESSURE (VALSALVA MANEUVER) USING DIGITAL HIGH-SPEED VIDEO IMAGING

Background: CCD-high speed camera systems are used to record high freq uency videoclips. Introducing this technology in the analysis of eardr um motions, fast motions of the eardrum can be taped using an endoscop e. Methods: Records of the eardrum were made under specific static pre ssure conditions during the Valsalva maneuver. Initial experience with the help of a Kodak Image (I 3) Ektapro 1000 Motion Analyzer allowed only conventional video signal processing and storage. A new data inte rface makes it possible to save and process the complette videoclip di gitally. Results: Using an image processing workstation and special ma thematical algorithms, three-dimensional computer animations of rapid eardrum motions on static pressure can be performed. The present study describes different animations of fast motion eardrum movements. Conc lusions: Digital high-speed video imaging is a suitable method to desc ribe rapid eardrum motions on static pressure (Valsalva maneuver). It is possible to visualize the motion of the eardrum over time on the fa st Valsalva movement at high resolution.