How helpful is pneumatic otoscopy in improving diagnostic accuracy?

The use of pneumatic otoscopy improved diagnostic sensitivity (by about 25%) and specificity (by about 40%) in US paediatric trainees who viewed 50 videos of otoscopic examinations. Clinicians who had the highest diagnostic accuracy when viewing only the tympanic membrane without pneumatic otoscopy had the greatest improvement in diagnostic accuracy when also provided with the pneumatic otoscopy appearances.

Performing pneumatic otoscopy is technically challenging. This Youtube video “How to use the otoscope/penumatoscope” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vep3sowSuw) provides a clear, five-minute, demonstration of the optimal use of a pneumatic otoscope.