カテーテルによる耳菅機能検査の再現性

Abstract

Using a tubal catheter, we examined the test-retest reliability of sonotubometry and of the tubal air insufflation test in normal subjects. The tubal insuffiation test was evaluated by the measurement of tubal opening pressure and sound pressure during air insufflation with a tubal catheter. At the initial examination a tubal catheter was inserted into the pharyngeal tubal orifice under fiberscopic inspection. On another day, the second examination was done in the same way but without fiberscopic inspection.The mean values of the test results were the same on both days, except that the baseline sounds measured by sonotubometry, were slightly higher on the second day. A comparison of the results of sonotubometry tests showed that a correlative rate between each value on the first day and on the second day in sound amplitude was significantly higher both before (p<0.10) and after air insuffiation (p<0.01), and the correlative rate in sound duration was higher only after air insuffiation (p<0.01). However, no significant correlations were found in the results of air insuffiation test.We conclude that sonotubometry with a tubal catheter is a more reliable and stable method of evaluating tubal function than the tubal air insufflation test.