scholarly journals A Tympanometric Pressure Swallow Test for Assessment of Eustachian Tube Function

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy S. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Pressure Shift ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Air Cushion ◽  
Increased Pressure

Normal Eustachian tube function is necessary for maintaining healthy middle ear conditions. A tympanometric pressure swallow test is proposed which can be used to assess Eustachian tube function behind an intact tympanic membrane. In general, after recording a baseline tympanogram, mechanically created positive and negative air pressures are created in a hermetically sealed ear canal causing increased pressure on the middle ear air cushion. The patient is then asked to swallow. Preliminary clinical findings in ears with apparent normal Eustachian tube function show that a shift in the peak pressure point of the tympanogram occurs when the tympanogram is recorded again, implying that the Eustachian tube opens and equalizes middle ear air pressure. Positive canal pressure swallow maneuvers show a peak pressure shift to a negative value, whereas negative pressure swallow maneuvers show a peak pressure shift to a positive value.

Tympanometric Measures of Eustachian Tube Function

1987 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine L. Riedel ◽  
Terry L. Wiley ◽  
Michael G. Block
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Acoustic Admittance ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Pressure Peak ◽  
Negative Gradient

The purpose of this study was to develop instructions and procedures and to establish a normal data base for four tympanometric tests of Eustachian tube function: Valsalva, Toynbee, Inflation, and Deflation. Data were obtained for 24 young adults (48 ears) with normal hearing and normal middle-ear function. The tympanograms were analyzed for differences between baseline and experimental (postmaneuver) and baseline and posttest tracings for seven measures: tympanogram peak pressure, peak acoustic admittance, static acoustic admittance, negative gradient, positive gradient, and negative and positive acoustic-admittance values at ±400 daPa. The results indicated a statistically significant difference only in peak pressure for baseline and experimental tympanograms. Peak-pressure shifts were most pronounced for the Valsalva and Toynbee procedures. The small pressure shifts characteristic of the Inflation and Deflation procedures coupled with the potential for instrumental error severely limit the use of these procedures as means of obtaining reliable indices of tubal function.

scholarly journals Influence of repetitive diving in freshwater on pressure equalization and Eustachian tube function in recreational scuba divers

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-227
Author(s):  
Stefanie Jansen ◽  
◽  
Manuela Boor ◽  
Moritz F Meyer ◽  
Eberhard D Pracht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Pressure Equalization ◽  
Negative Shift ◽  
Scuba Divers ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function Test ◽  
Recreational Scuba

Introduction: We investigated the effect of repetitive pressure exposure during freshwater dives on Eustachian tube function and the middle ear, assessed by the Eustachian tube function test (ETFT). Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 23 divers over three consecutive days of diving in freshwater lakes in Nordhausen, Germany. Participants underwent otoscopy and ETFT before the first dive, between each dive and after the last dive. ETFT included regular tympanometry (R-tymp), tympanometry after Valsalva (V-tymp) and after swallowing (S-tymp). The peak pressure difference between the R-tymp and the V-tymp (R-VdP) defined effectiveness of pressure equalization after Valsalva manoeuvres. We evaluated the change in compliance and peak pressure and correlated the results to the otoscopic findings and diving experience. Results: Twenty-three divers performed 144 dives. Middle ear barotrauma was assessed using the Edmonds modification of the TEED scoring system. In the ETFT, the R-tymp peak pressure displayed a negative shift from day one to three (P = 0.001) and differed significantly between the experience groups (P = 0.01). R-VdP did not change significantly on any of the three days of diving (all P > 0.05). Participants without MEBt showed significantly lower R-tymp values than did those with barotrauma (P = 0.019). Conclusion: Repetitive pressure exposure during three consecutive days of freshwater diving led to a negative shift of the peak pressure in the middle ear. Less experienced divers showed significantly higher middle ear peak pressure and higher pressure differences after equalization manoeuvres. Higher middle ear peak pressure was also associated with a higher prevalence of barotrauma.

scholarly journals Does Septoplasty Affect Middle Ear Pressure and Eustachian Tube Function?

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Ilhan Sahin ◽  
Safak Gulec ◽  
Umit Perisan ◽  
Ismail Kulahli
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Middle Ear Pressure ◽  
Tube Function

Measuring dynamic Eustachian tube function using tympanometry in a pressure chamber: the effect of nasal betahistine application

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (7) ◽  
pp. 580-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
B K-H G Franz ◽  
R Patuzzi ◽  
C J Wraight ◽  
G Kay ◽  
A Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Pressure Chamber ◽  
Chamber Pressure ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Hyperbaric Chamber ◽  
Middle Ear Pressure ◽  
Tube Dysfunction ◽  
Tube Function

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of topical betahistine on Eustachian tube function in subjectively abnormal subjects in a hyperbaric chamber.MethodActive and passive Eustachian tube function was examined using tympanometry in a pressure chamber.ResultsActive Eustachian tube function was tested against the negative middle ear pressure induced by increasing the chamber pressure to +3 kPa. One voluntary swallow decreased middle-ear pressure by a mean of 1.36 kPa. Passive Eustachian tube function was tested by measuring spontaneous Eustachian tube openings as the chamber pressure dropped from +10 kPa to ambient. Four distinct patterns of Eustachian tube behaviour were seen, three of which indicated Eustachian tube dysfunction. Betahistine had no positive effect on Eustachian tube opening, although previous animal studies had suggested a beneficial effect.ConclusionTopical betahistine had no effect on Eustachian tube function. Combining a hyperbaric chamber with tympanometry proved ideal for evaluating Eustachian tube function.

scholarly journals Eustachian Tube Function in Adults without Middle Ear Disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Douglas Swarts ◽  
Cuneyt M. Alper ◽  
Ellen M. Mandel ◽  
Richard Villardo ◽  
William J. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Middle Ear Disease

Evacuation of the Middle Ear by Sniffing: A Cause of High Negative Pressure and Development of Middle Ear Disease

1984 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernt Falk ◽  
Bengt Magnuson
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Middle Ear Effusion ◽  
Pressure Equalization ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Middle Ear Disease ◽  
Ear Effusion

Previous research on eustachian tube function has been devoted mainly to the study of the tubal opening ability and pressure equalization. This article summarizes a series of experimental studies focusing on the closing ability of the tube. Results support the belief that the purpose of the tube should be seen primarily as protecting the middle ear from the extensive pressure variations that physiologically take place in the nasopharynx. A number of studies of diseased ears have shown that tubal malfunction was characterized mainly by a reduced ability to withstand negative pressure in the nasopharynx. Sniffing can evacuate the middle ear, causing high negative intratympanic pressure. It seems likely that this mechanism is involved in the development of middle ear effusion and manifest retraction-type middle ear disease.

Eustachian Tube Function and the Middle Ear

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1221-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Seibert ◽  
Christopher J. Danner
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Tube Function

The Response of the Nasal Airway, Middle Ear, and Eustachian Tube to Experimental Rhinovirus Infection

1988 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Doyle ◽  
Timothy P. McBride ◽  
J. Douglas Swarts ◽  
Frederick G. Hayden ◽  
Jack M. Gwaltney
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Clearance Rate ◽  
Mucociliary Clearance ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Nasal Patency ◽  
Rhinovirus Infection ◽  
Middle Ear Pressure ◽  
Tube Function

This paper describes the longitudinal changes in nasal patency, mucociliary clearance rate, eustachian tube function, and middle ear pressure in a group of 40 volunteers infected with rhinovirus type 39. Thirty-two (80%) of the volunteers were judged to have had a cold based on the modified Jackson criteria. Common symptoms included malaise, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing that began on the day after challenge and peaked in intensity on days 3–5. Nasal patency evaluated by active posterior rhinomanometry and mucociliary clearance rate evaluated by the dyed sacharrin technique were significantly decreased following challenge. For nasal patency the effect was primarily limited to days 2–8 postchallenge, while abnormalities in clearance rate were documented for as long as 18 days postchallenge. A 50% increased incidence of abnormal eustachian tube function and a 30% increased incidence of abnormal middle ear pressures were observed for days 2–7 postchallenge with a gradual return to baseline by day 16. For mucociliary clearance, eustachian tube function, and middle ear pressure, but not nasal patency, these abnormalities were more pronounced in patients with a symptomatic cold. These results show that changes in nasal physiology resulting from a rhinovirus infection can be objectively quantified and that the resulting pathophysiology extends to anatomically contiguous structures such as the eustachian tube and middle ear.

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