Tympanometric changes before and after treatment with functional endoscopic sinus surgery in cases of chronic sinusitis

Abstract

Objective The aim was to detect the effect of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on eustachian tube function and evaluate the tympanometric changes in these cases after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Background CRS can alter the function of eustachian tube and the middle ear pressure. Materials and methods This prospective study was carried out on 60 patients from the otorhinolaryngology departments of El-Hussien University Hospital and Bab El Shaeria University Hospital and at the audiology unit of Al Azhar University. The patients included in this study were classified into two groups: group I included 40 patients diagnosed as having CRS with or without nasal polyposis, and group II (control group) included 20 patients who were ENT free at the time of examination. Tympanometry and eustachian tube patency function test (EFT) before and 3 and 6 months after functional endoscopic sinus surgery were done in group 1 and at the time of first presentation in the control group. Results A significant effect of nasal obstruction on middle ear pressure and EFT was noticed (P > 0.005). There was no significant relation between laterality of nasal obstruction and the result of tympanometry and EFT preoperatively. Not all the cases with type A tympanogram had good EFT, and this indicted that cases with type A tympanogram may have good or poor EFT, that is, not always good EFT. The changes of the type of tympanometry between before and after operation from type C to type A were statistically highly significant. Conclusion CRS causes eustachian tube dysfunction, and surgery of nasal obstruction had a significant effect in improving the middle ear pressure and the EFT.