Eustachian tube function test as a predictor of middle ear barotrauma

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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Effect of nasal obstruction surgery on eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation

International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20202032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. 1054

Author(s):

Shiv Kumar Rathaur ◽

Jagram Verma

Keyword(s):

Nasal Obstruction ◽

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Favourable Effect ◽

Middle Ear Surgery ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Middle Ear Pressure ◽

Middle Ear Ventilation ◽

Tube Function ◽

Eustachian Tube Function Test

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of surgery for nasal obstruction in improving Eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation.Methods: This prospective study involved 60 patients with different nasal pathologies causing nasal obstruction along with complaints of ear fullness. In required cases the nasal pathologies were surgically managed. Pre and postoperative impedance audiometric evaluation and nasal endoscopy were done to assess the eustachian tube function, changes the value of middle ear pressure and ear fullness sensation at 1 month and at 3 months after surgery. Results: Preoperatively, 56 (93.3%) patients had sensation of ear fullness, postoperatively at 1 month and at 3 months after nasal surgery only 20 (33.3%) patient and 18 (30%) respectively, has sensation of ear fullness, with signiﬁcant improvement (p<0.05). Preoperatively, 74 (61.6%) ears were type A tympanogram, 50 ears of them had poor eustachian tube function and 24 ears had good Eustachian tube function. 42 (35%) ears were type C, 4 (3.3%) ear were type B tympanogram, all of them had poor eustachian tube function. The postoperative results of eustachian tube function test and tympanometric value were signiﬁcantly better than preoperative results (p<0.05).Conclusions: We find out that nasal obstruction has a deﬁnite relationship with eustachian tube function. Surgery for nasal obstruction has a favourable effect on the middle ear pressure and eustachian tube function. Corrective surgery for nasal obstruction should be considered at least 1 month before undertaking the middle ear surgery to improve middle ear ventilation.

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A new eustachian tube function test using photodiode. Phototubometry.

Practica Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica ◽

10.5631/jibirin.80.737 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 80 (5) ◽

pp. 737-743

Author(s):

Tomoyuki Haji ◽

Nobuya Yagi ◽

Iwao Honjo

Keyword(s):

Eustachian Tube ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Function Test ◽

Tube Function ◽

Eustachian Tube Function Test

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The Eustachian Tube Function Test

Practica Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica ◽

10.5631/jibirin.113.332 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (5) ◽

pp. 332-333

Author(s):

Shigeto Ohta

Keyword(s):

Eustachian Tube ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Function Test ◽

Tube Function ◽

Eustachian Tube Function Test

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Measurement of Eustachian Tube Function using Electro-acoustic Techniques

Journal of The Royal Naval Medical Service ◽

10.1136/jrnms-68-69 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 69-76

Author(s):

W. D. McNicoll

Keyword(s):

Eustachian Tube ◽

Middle Ear ◽

Ambient Pressure ◽

Test Facility ◽

Positive Pressure ◽

Pressure Curve ◽

Eustachian Tube Function ◽

Function Test ◽

Tube Function ◽

Tympanic Membranes

AbstractRecordings from ears with retracted tympanic membranes consistently show negative middle ear pressures, indicating dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. Using a Grason Stadler 1723 middle ear analyser which has a tympanometric and acoustic reflex capability, plus a Eustachian function test facility, 221 adult males with bilaterally intact tympanic membranes were assessed as to the state of their Eustachian function. The classical inflation-deflation test and Toynbee’s and Valsalva’s tests were not performed. The Eustachian function test facility was used and the ability to produce a deflection on the induced positive pressure curve on performance of the Valsalva and Toynbee manoeuvres, or the ability to vent an induced positive pressure was regarded as being evidence of positive Eustachian tube function. These findings were confirmed by exposing each subject to an increase in ambient pressure of 10 metres of water at which depth equivalent those subjects who vented or produced deflections on the positive pressure curve were found to be able to equilibrate their middle ear pressures.

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