Eustachian Tube Malfunction Research Articles

Middle ear pressures in eustachian tube malfunction: manometric studies.

AbstractWe made direct measurements of the difference in pressure between the middle ear and the ambient atmosphere in 300 ears affected with chronic adhesive otitis media (CAOM), serous otitis media (SOM), and similar disorders of the ear caused by eustachian tube malfunction.We utilized a narrow bore, open U‐tube manometer made of No. 205 polyethylene tubing which was connected to a 20 or 22 gauge spinal needle. The needle was passed through the intact tympanic membrane and the displacement of the column of 95 percent alcohol in the manometer was noted and recorded.Our results showed that in 101 ears with CAOM, the average negative pressure difference between the middle ear and the ambient atmosphere was 9 mm 95 percent alcohol, equivalent to 7 mm of H2O.In 136 ears with SOM, the average negative middle ear pressure was 8 mm 95 percent alcohol, equivalent to 6.5 mm H2O.In 80 of the 300 diseased ears we tested, the middle and ambient atmospheric pressures were equal.Direct readings of the middle ear pressure tell us the status of the middle ear ventilation at the moment of the measurement.

Role of Ventilating Tubes in Tympanoplasty

Tympanostomy tubes, originally conceived for the treatment of chronic nonsuppurative otitis media, have the added role of ventilating and thus reversing the atelectatic ear. Tympanoplasty, once contraindicated when the eustachian tube failed to function, can now be extended to include those patients with persistent eustachian tube malfunction if an indwelling tube is used to ventilate and stabilize the middle ear. The reconstructed ear can be protected from atelectasis and delayed damage to the ossicular chain by leaving a ventilating tube in place until satisfactory eustachian tube function is assured. The tympanostomy tube is a therapeutic adjunct that has, when supplemented with appropriate complementary treatment, the potential of saving more ears and preserving more hearing than any other conservative surgical measure.

Changes in the Tympanic Membrane with Eustachian Tube Malfunction

Changes in the Tympanic Membrane with Eustachian Tube Malfunction

Management of serous otitis media in children.

<h3>Introduction</h3> The middle ear disease most commonly and consistently attributed to eustachian tube malfunction^1-4has been referred to throughout the years by one of the following terms: acute catarrhal otitis media, acute nonsuppurative otitis media, tubotympanic catarrh, acute salpingitis, otitis media ex vacuo, tubal catarrh, hydrops ex vacuo, otitis media exudativa, secretory catarrh, aerotitis, otitis media with effusion, secretory otitis media, and serous otitis media.⁵Briefly, the disease consists of collections of various fluid substances in the middle ear causing a hearing loss but never exhibiting the progressive course of suppurative otitis media. It will be referred to as serous otitis media (SOM) in this paper. The age incidence, judging from a representative series in the literature, may be from 2 years to 80 years.⁹This discussion will be limited to examining the etiologies behind this disease in children; the upper age limit generally falling just before