Tympanometric study of eustachian tube function in oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant condition. Incidence of OSMF in India is 0.5%, mainly found in southern states and also in Saurashtra region. The pathological changes can involve mucosa, submucosa and the underlying muscles. The changes of tubal and paratubal muscles can affect the eustachian tube function. So, this study was carried out with an aim to determine the effect of OSMF on the eustachian tube function. Materials and Methods: 54 ears of 27 patients with OSMF and 50 ears of 25 normal persons were screened by eustachian tube function test (ETFT) after thorough history taking and clinical examination. Results: Out of the 54 ears in the OSMF group, type A curve was obtained in 42 (77.8%) ears, type B curve in none and type C curve was found in 12 (22.2%) ears, as compared to the normal group in which type A curve was obtained in 46 (92%) ears, type B curve in 2 (4%) ears, type C curve was found in 2 (4%) ears. On testing compliance of the middle ear, no change was observed at -200 daPa in 15 (27.8%) ears in the OSMF group and 5 (10%) ears in the normal group. Conclusion: The data observed were statistically analyzed by chi-square test, which suggested significant association between OSMF and eustachian tube function. Therefore, it can be concluded that eustachian tube function may be affected in OSMF and vice versa. So, while treating OSMF, hearing disability due to eustachian dysfunction has to be kept in mind and vice versa because treatment of hearing disability without taking care of OSMF will not be successful.