Mucociliary function of the eustachian tube in the eustachian tube dysfunction

Background: Most of the tests to evaluate the eustachian tube (ET) function are focused on the ventilation function of the ET.

Aim: Here we evaluate mucociliary function of the ET in patients with ET dysfunction.

Materials and methods: Ten patients with ET dysfunction were enrolled into the study. Six patients had chronic tympanic membrane retraction and four patients had chronic middle ear effusion (MEE). All patients had intact tympanic membranes. Tympanometry and clinical examinations were done to all patients. Mucociliary function was evaluated with technetium labeled albumin and blue dye. Tympanometry and clinical examinations were done to six patients with chronic tympanic membrane retraction and four patients with chronic middle ear effusion (MEE). Mucociliary function of the ET was evaluated with technetium labeled albumin and blue dye placed into middle ear through an intact tympanic membrane and followed from nasopharynx ET orifice (blue dye) and with gamma camera (technetium).

Results: Blue dye was observed in tubal orifice in six (6 of 10) patients during 30?min observation. Five of those patients (5 of 6) had tympanic membrane retraction and one patient (1 of 6) had MEE. Tracer activity decreased from middle ear in six (6 of 10) patients. Four of those patients had tympanic membrane retraction and two had MEE.

Conclusion: Mucociliary function of the ET seems to be better in patients with tympanic membrane retraction than patients with middle ear effusion.

Significance: Mucociliary function of the ET is an important function for middle ear aeration, blue dye test is easily available to be used also in clinical practice.