Efficacy of balloon dilation in the treatment of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction: One year follow-up study

Abstract

PurposeEustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) has been recently described as feasible treatment for patients with refractory Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ETBD in the treatment of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction (SETD) by subjective and objective analysis. Materials and methodsForty patients who underwent ETBD were included in the study. Subjects’ inclusion criteria were as follows: symptoms of ETD (aural fullness predominantly, with or without otalgia, muffle hearing and tinnitus), normal tympanic membrane, type A or C tympanograms, and without a history of any middle ear diseases. Main outcomes including subjective improvement, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, R-value in tubomanometry (TMM) at three pressure measurements (30, 40, and 50mbar), Eustachian Tube Score (ETS) and the ability to perform a Valsalva maneuver were assessed preoperatively, 1week, 3months and 12months postoperatively. ResultsAll cases were dilated successfully. A significant effect of treatment was documented when measuring subjective improvement, impedance audiometry, R-value in TMM, ETS and the ability to perform a Valsalva maneuver 1week, 3months and 12month postoperatively. Subjective symptoms were not relieved only in one patient. The overall success rate for all patients was 98%. ConclusionsETBD can provide both short- and long-term benefits to those who are diagnosed SETD and refractory to medical management. SETD might be an optimal indication for ETBD in the treatment of ETD.