Comparative Preoperative Evaluation of Eustachian Tube Function in Pathological Ears

1980 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Virtanen ◽  
T. Palva ◽  
T. Jauhiainen
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Preoperative Evaluation ◽  
Tympanic Membrane Perforation ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Pressure Equalization ◽  
Middle Ear Pressure ◽  
Membrane Perforation ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Mucosal Changes

On 100 pathological ears with tympanic membrane perforation, eustachian tube function was measured by using sonotubometry and the negative pressure equalization test in an attempt to compare these two methods. The pressure equalization test did not appear to be a reliable tool for preoperative clinical determination of tube function because sonotubometry showed tubal opening in 85 % (myringoplasty group) and in 49 % (radical surgery group) of pathological ears, which were not able to equalize negative middle ear pressure at all during swallowing. The negative pressure equalization test is considered to be unphysiological and may produce a locking phenomenon of the tube. Even a small negative pressure can act like a valve, producing an obstruction that muscle activity of the tube is no longer able to overcome particularly when mucosal changes are present in the tubal orifice. Sonotubometry is a physiological test and as such gives a reliable picture of the opening of the tube during swallowing. Data on tympanic aeration postoperatively will be reported later.

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.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Effects of freediving on middle ear and eustachian tube function

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-355
Author(s):  
Moritz F Meyer ◽  
◽  
Kristijana Knezic ◽  
Stefanie Jansen ◽  
Heinz D Klünter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Diving Depth ◽  
Middle Ear Pressure ◽  
Tube Function ◽  
Hyperbaric Medicine ◽  
The Right ◽  
Peak Pressures

(Meyer MF, Knezic K, Jansen S, Klünter HD, Pracht ED, Grosheva M. Effects of freediving on middle ear and eustachian tube function. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. 2020 December 20;50(4):350–355. doi: 10.28920/dhm50.4.350-355. PMID: 33325015.) Introduction: During descent in freediving there is exposure to rapidly increasing pressure. Inability to quickly equalise middle ear pressure may cause trauma to the ear. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pressure-related damage to the middle ear and the Eustachian tube during freediving and to identify possible risk factors. Methods: Sixteen free divers performed diving sessions in an indoor pool 20 metres’ freshwater (mfw) deep. During each session, each diver performed four own free dives and up to four safety dives. Naso- and oto-endoscopy and Eustachian tube function tests were performed on the right and left ears before diving, between each session and after the last session. The otoscopic findings were classified according to the Teed classification (0 = normal tympanic membrane to 4 = perforation). Additionally, ENT-related complaints were assessed using a questionnaire. Results: Participants performed 317 dives (on average 20 dives per diver, six per session). The average depth was 13.3 mfw. Pressure-related changes (Teed 1 and 2) were detected in 48 % of ears. Teed level increased significantly with an increasing number of completed sessions (P < 0.0001). Higher pressure-related damage (Teed 2) occurred in less experienced divers, was associated with significantly lower peak pressures in the middle ear and led to more ear-related symptoms. A preference for the Frenzel technique for middle ear pressure equalisation during freediving was shown. Conclusions: Pressure exposure during freediving had a cumulative effect on the middle ear. Factors such as diving depth, diving experience and number of diving sessions correlated with the occurrence of higher Teed levels.

Eustachian Tube Function and Retraction of the Tympanic Membrane

1980 ◽  
Vol 89 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 65-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörgen Holmquist ◽  
Ulf Renvall ◽  
Pål Svendsen
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Eustachian Tube ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Eustachian Tube Function ◽  
Present Material ◽  
Pressure Equalization ◽  
Air Volume ◽  
Middle Ear Cholesteatoma ◽  
Tube Function

The medial displacement of the tympanic membrane or the retracted tympanic membrane is a common clinical finding. Also, retractions are looked upon as the precursor of middle ear cholesteatoma. In current otologic literature there seems to be some dispute whether the retractions of the tympanic membrane are caused by negative intratympanic air pressure or by shrinkage of middle ear adhesions pulling the tympanic membrane or part of it medially. In this study only ears with posterior/superior retractions of the tympanic membrane were investigated. Tympanometry revealed that only 33% of the ears did have middle ear pressure within ± 100 mm H2O. After insertion of a polyethylene tube through the tympanic membrane, the eustachian tube function was tested using the air pressure equalization technique. None of the ears could change the negative air pressure upon swallowing. Planometric measurements on the x-ray of the mastoid air cell system of the present material deviate from those of a normal material, indicating a significantly smaller air volume in the present material. It may be concluded that dysfunction of the eustachian tube and a small air volume of the mastoid are characteristic features of an ear with posterior/superior retraction of the tympanic membrane.

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.

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