Growth change in cartilaginous Eustachian tube angulation and its relationship with age at onset of otitis media

Abstract

Middle ear infection (otitis media, OM) is amongst the most common childhood diseases in the United States. Despite this, there is a lack of data on growth of the Carilaginous Eustachian tube (CET) and how this may relate to onset of OM. This study investigated growth changes in reconstructed CET dimensions. Its length (between its orifice on the temporal bone and medial pterygoid tubercle) and orientation (angle made with the medial pterygoid plate posterior edge) were quantified in a dry cranial growth series (n=258) divided into dental eruption stages. 3D landmark coordinate data were digitized from each specimen using a Microscribe digitizer. A total of 54 landmarks on the face, upper respiratory tract, and temporal bone were used. These data underwent Procrustes scaling so that relative dimensions could be directly compared between growth stages with Bonferroni‐adjusted T‐tests. Results showed no significant growth change in relative CET length but CET angulation underwent marked and significant (p<0.05) growth change between infancy and adulthood with greatest amount of change occurring within the first three years of life, coinciding with peak onset age for OM. The results suggest that the development of OM may be related to CET angulation and absolute length.Grant Funding Source : Mount Sinai School of Medicine