The Effects of Glycerol as an Optical Clearing Agent for Visualization of the Middle Ear

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will examine the improvement in middle ear optical coherence tomography imaging from the topical application of glycerol to the tympanic membrane in normal, opaque and post-operative ears

Detailed Description
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This study will explore whether the utility of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in otology patients can be enhanced through the application of topical glycerol as an optical clearing agent in patients with normal, opaque and post operative tympanic membranes. In each group of subjects, a comparison will be made between OCT images obtained before and after the topical application of glycerol to the tympanic membrane and following washout with saline. Images will also be assessed for their diagnostic utility as determined by the visibility of key structures and the change in middle ear mobility caused by glycerol absorption in the tympanic membrane.

Official Title
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The Effects of Glycerol as an Optical Clearing Agent for Visualization of the Middle Ear

Conditions
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Healthy, Tympanosclerosis, Thickened Ears, Surgery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Glycerol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Thickened tympanic membrane (e.g. due to fibrosis) x10 Tympanosclerosis of the tympanic membrane x10 History of middle ear surgery with partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis and cartilage tympanoplasty x10 History of cartilage tympanoplasty without prosthesis implantation x10 Normal tympanic membrane without history of middle ear disease x10 Exclusion Criteria: Narrow or stenotic external auditory canal that prevents visualization of the tympanic membrane Mobility disorder that prevents patient from remaining still during imaging Perforation of the tympanic membrane Open sores or infections of the external auditory canal

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: All subjects will undergo OCT and conventional endoscopic imaging before topical application of glycerol to the tympanic membrane, after topical application of glycerol to the tympanic membrane and after rinsing the tympanic membrane with saline.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment arm<br>Subjects will be imaged with OCT and endoscopy before treatment of the tympanic membrane with topical glycerol, after treatment of the tympanic membrane with topical glycerol and after rinsing the tympanic membrane with saline | Drug: Glycerol<br>* In this study, 99.5% pure glycerol will be used as an optical clearing agent. The glycerol will be applied topically to the tympanic membrane.<br>* Other names: Glycerin(e);|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in optical attenuation rate of the tympanic membrane | Change in optical attenuation rate (dB/mm) of the tympanic membrane between the pre-treatment and post-treatment conditions | 20 min | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in acoustic mobility of the umbo | Change in the mobility (mm/s/Pa) of the umbo between pre- and post-treatment conditions | 20 min | 
| Change in B-mode signal-to-noise ratio of the cochlear promontorium | Change in the B-mode signal-to-noise ratio for a region of interest on the cochlear promontorium distal to the tympanic membrane between pre- and post-treatment conditions | 20 min |