Eustachian tube function assessed with tympanometry a new testing procedure in ears with intact tympanic membrane

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.

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Eustachian Tube Function in Children with Normal Middle Ear and with Tympanic Membrane Retraction

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599813496044a251 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 149 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. P224-P225

Author(s):

Inesangela Canali ◽

Leticia S. Rosito ◽

Sady S. Da Costa ◽

Bruno Siliprandi ◽

Claudia Giugno

Keyword(s):

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Tube Function ◽

Tympanic Membrane Retraction

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Eustachian Tube Function and Healing after Myringoplasty

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/019459988709600114 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 80-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jorgen Holmquist ◽

Pontus Lindeman

Keyword(s):

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Healing Rate ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Tympanic Membrane Perforations ◽

Post Operative Period ◽

Tube Function ◽

Function Group

The function of the eustachian tube (ET) was measured preoperatively among patients with dry, chronic, tympanic membrane perforations. Tympanograms were obtained 1 to 2 years postoperatively. A significantly better healing rate was found in the group classified as “good” ET-function. Also, a significantly greater number of tympanograms with no deflections were found in the “bad” ET-function group. Thus, the ET-testing allows an identification of patients who must be followed up with extra care during the post-operative period, in order that complications such as reperforation of the tympanic membrane may be avoided.

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A New Impedance Method for Measuring Middle Ear Mechanics and Eustachian Tube Function

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894800890s347 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 89 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 207-210 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alf Ivarsson

Keyword(s):

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Pressure Chamber ◽

Impedance Method ◽

Neutral Position ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Small Pressure ◽

Middle Ear Mechanics ◽

Tube Function

The main principle of this new impedance method is a continuous recording of changes in tympanic membrane compliance in relation to its neutral position during changes in pressure, using a small pressure chamber. The subject sitting in the chamber can be placed in the recumbent position by rotation of the chamber. The working principles of the impedance method are: a servosystem regulates displacement of the loudspeaker membrane in order to keep the sound pressure in the external ear canal constant, independent of tympanic membrane compliance. From this recording it is possible to isolate tympanic membrane compliance during changes in intratympanic pressure as well as during ambient pressure changes. The results indicate that the new regulated impedance method combined with the small pressure chamber should be useful in routine clinical examination of middle ear mechanics and eustachian tube function.

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