Question:medium
Gelle's test is used in the diagnosis of which of the following conditions?
Gelle's test is used in the diagnosis of which of the following conditions?
Show Hint
A negative result indicates a fixed stapes footplate.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Otosclerosis
- Juvenile angiofibroma
- Nasal polyp
- None
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Gelle's test checks how a change in external canal pressure affects bone-conducted hearing.
Step 2: With a tuning fork on the mastoid, increasing canal pressure by a Siegle's speculum normally drives the ossicles inward and momentarily dampens hearing, which is the positive result.
Step 3: When the stapes is fixed, the pressure change cannot reach the labyrinth, so hearing stays unchanged and the test reads negative.
Step 4: Stapes fixation is the hallmark of otosclerosis, so a negative Gelle's points to this disease, and the test is therefore used for otosclerosis rather than nasal or nasopharyngeal lesions.
\[\boxed{\text{Otosclerosis}}\]
Step 2: With a tuning fork on the mastoid, increasing canal pressure by a Siegle's speculum normally drives the ossicles inward and momentarily dampens hearing, which is the positive result.
Step 3: When the stapes is fixed, the pressure change cannot reach the labyrinth, so hearing stays unchanged and the test reads negative.
Step 4: Stapes fixation is the hallmark of otosclerosis, so a negative Gelle's points to this disease, and the test is therefore used for otosclerosis rather than nasal or nasopharyngeal lesions.
\[\boxed{\text{Otosclerosis}}\]
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