Effective photography in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery: endoscopic photography of the middle ear.

A side- or oblique-viewing needle otoscope was used for the endoscopic examination of the middle ear. The needle otoscope consists of a Selfoc glass rod lens for observation and a bundle of glass fibers for illumination. Prisms attached at the tip of the lens and the glass fiber bundle facilitate the examination of 90 degrees lateral and 60 degrees oblique regions. Through an existing perforation of the tympanic membrane, the tip of the instrument is introduced into the middle ear cavity without anesthesia, using a self-illuminating otoscope. The needle otoscope can also be introduced into the middle ear cavity after myringotomy or during ear surgery. The instrument is extremely helpful in locating lesions and diagnosing middle ear diseases. The image can be photographed by connecting the needle otoscope to a special camera, which is equipped with an automatic exposure and a self-winding system. A high-power light source is essential for taking photographs. Photographs taken on 16-mm film are presented.