Poor Tubal Function Research Articles

Physiology of the Eustachian Tube

The function of the eustachian tube is to maintain pressure equality across the tympanic membrane. A number of tests have been utilized to study the condition of the eustachian tube. Of these, some tests measure only patency. Several methods have been devised to test tubal function by determining the tubal transport of sound, air, radiopaque media, fluorescene, or a solution of sulfisoxazole diolamine (Gantrisin). The results of tubal malfunction can also be determined. The pneumatophone and the otomanometer indirectly measure the pressure change in the tympanum resulting from poor tubal function. The Buckingham test confirms the presence or absence of a negative pressure in the tympanum. The results of tubal function tests have proven useful in predicting success at myringoplasty surgery.

Middle ear ventilation in chronic otitis media.

The eustachian tube function was determined by the aspiration method in ears with dry chronic otitis media. It was shown that almost 80% of the ears had poor tubal function. The mastoid air cell size was determined in ears with dry chronic otitis media by planimetry on the x-ray picture. Almost all had a cell system size below the mean size of a normal material. The relation between tubal function and mastoid air cell size was also analyzed. It was shown that increased size of the cell system indicates an increased percentage of normal tubal function. In a follow-up investigation of ears operated on with myringoplasty, it was shown that the better the preoperative tubal function and the larger the size of the mastoid air cell system the higher the percentage of healed ears.