Obstruction of the eustachian tube orifice and pressure changes in the middle ear: are they correlated?

OBJECTIVES: We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate whether the obstruction of the eustachian tube orifice due to adenoid hyperplasia changes the pressures in the middle ear. METHOD: Fifty consecutive children 2 to 12 years of age with nasal obstruction were examined from May to October 2005. Adenoid size and status of the eustachian tube orifice were assessed with nasal flexible fiberoptic endoscopy. Tympanometry was used to evaluate the middle ear. RESULTS: In children with occlusion of the eustachian tube orifice by adenoid tissue, 87% had abnormal pressure in the middle ear according to tympanograms. When orifices were not occluded, 86% of the tympanograms were normal (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Obstruction of the eustachian tube orifice by adenoid tissue was associated with tympanograms suggestive of abnormal pressure in the middle ear. Future studies with a larger sample size are necessary to clarify this association.     

儿童腺样体肥大与中耳咽鼓管功能相关性分析

目的:探讨腺样体大小与中耳功能和咽鼓管功能的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2004年2月~2004年10月因腺样体肥大收入院手术患儿的中耳功能,并比较腺样体肥大患儿和正常同龄儿童的咽鼓管功能的差异。结果:①腺样体大小与中耳压力有明显的负相关性(r=-0.41,P<0.05);②腺样体肥大患儿咽鼓管功能(13.9±13.2)daPa,与正常儿童咽鼓管功能(22.5±10.4)daPa比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-3.1,P<0.01);③患儿腺样体的大小程度与咽鼓管功能无明显相关性(r=-0.19,P>0.05)。结论:腺样体病理性肥大可引起咽鼓管功能障碍,是分泌性中耳炎(SOM)的发病基础。     

Otologic manifestations of experimental rhinovirus infection

Episodes of acute otitis media are commonly associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections. Rhinoviruses account for approximately 40% of these infections, and were previously shown to alter eustachian tube function and middle ear pressures. However, progression to otitis media has not been prospectively documented. In the present study, changes in tympanometric pressures and otoscopic findings resulting from experimental intranasal rhinovirus type-39 inoculation were documented in 60 adult volunteers. Fifty-seven (95%) subjects became infected and 34 (60%) of these had a clinical cold. Prior to viral inoculation, 3 (5%) subjects had middle ear pressures of less than ?100 mm H₂O and two of these subjects developed middle ear effusions following infection. In all, 22 (39%) subjects developed middle ear pressures of less than ?100 mm H₂O. No subject with normal middle ear pressures prior to infection developed evidence of effusion. This study extends the otologic manifestations of rhinovirus infection to include otitis media. Furthermore, these results support the hypothesized relationship between upper respiratory tract infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, and otitis media.     

Adenoidectomy in otitis media. A review

For many years adenoids were thought to affect adversely middle ear (ME) aeration by obstructing the eustachian tube opening, leading to ME infections and effusions. Consequently, the adenoids have often been removed in children suffering from ME diseases; indeed, adenoidectomy is still performed around the globe on millions of children annually. Opinions vary, however, on the usefulness of the operation in various ME diseases. The purpose of this study is to review the available studies concerning the relationship of adenoids to the ME as well as the effect and benefit of adenoidectomy on ME effusions and ME infections.     

Resistant bacteria in the adenoids: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of resistant bacteria in adenoid cultures from children with and without middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms. DESIGN: Children meeting the requirement for tympanostomy tube placement underwent an adjuvant adenoidectomy for symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy or recurrent rhinosinusitis. Adenoid tissue and coexisting middle ear fluid, if present, were cultured. SETTING: Tertiary referral children's hospital with community-based satellite clinics. PATIENTS: Forty-six patients ranging in age from 1 to 11 years (68% <3 years) with recurrent or persistent otitis media and symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy or rhinosinusitis (study patients) underwent tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy with culture of the adenoids and middle ear effusions. Eighteen patients with adenoid hypertrophy without ear disease or rhinosinusitis were used as controls. INTERVENTIONS: Tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of resistant bacteria. RESULTS: Resistant bacteria were found in cultures of the adenoids in 56% (26/46) of the study group compared with 22% (4/18) of the control patients (P<.02). Also, strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis were found in cultures from 78% (36/ 46) of the study group, compared with 44% (8/18) of those from the control group (P<.01). Resistant isolates were found in 65% (23/35) of the S. pneumoniae, 37% (18/49) of the H. influenzae, and 100% (19/19) of the M. catarrhalis cultures from the adenoids or middle ear spaces. CONCLUSION: Resistant bacteria are present in significant amounts in the adenoids of children with middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms compared with patients without those diseases or symptoms.     

Middle Ear Ventilation in Conjunction with Adenotonsillectomy

If the tonsils and adenoids are causing eustachian tube dysfunction with middle ear effusion, the need for a ventilation tube at the time of the T&A and myringotomy is unresolved. Thirty-one patients with bilateral symmetrical middle ear effusion had T&A and myringotomies. In one ear, a ventilation tube was inserted; the other ear acted as a control. In addition to the clinical impressions, preoperative and serial postoperative audiograms and tympanograms are compared through a 12month time frame. Discussion is presented regarding middle ventilation at the time of the primary operation.     

Allergic origin of recurrent middle ear effusion and adenoids in young children

Recurrent middle ear effusions and adenoids in children might be caused by mechanical obstruction, infection or allergy. From 1989 to 1990 we examined 35 infants with no history of allergic rhinitis but with recurrent adenoids and middle ear effusions. During operation a skin test was performed for common allergens. Afterwards we tried to identify these allergens by RAST tests on tissue homogenates from the removed adenoids, the middle ear effusion and serum samples. Additionally the IgE levels were determined and the adenoid tissue was examined for eosinophils. In 12 of our 35 children (34%) the skin tests showed an allergy, mostly to different kinds of pollen or house dust. From these positive patients the respective allergens could be determined by RAST tests in serum in 84%, in tissue homogenates from the adenoids in 41% and in the middle ear effusions in 50% of cases. 50% of the children with positive skin tests showed an eosinophilia in the adenoid tissue. We did not find any allergen in the RAST of the infants with negative skin tests. The data show a correlation of allergen specific IgE antibodies in the serum of our patients and in the middle ear and the nasopharynx. Together with an eosinophilia these results suggest an allergic genesis of recurrent middle ear effusions and adenoids in about 20% to 30% of our cases. Early diagnostic procedures to rule out allergy in children with appropriate clinical symptoms are useful, and in positive cases antiallergic treatment is recommended.     

Effect of anesthetic gas on middle ear fluid

Tympanometry was performed before (preoperative) and after (intraoperative) the administration of inhalation anesthesia including nitrous oxide and halothane on 109 children undergoing myringotomy with pressure equalization tube insertion. A total of 213 preoperative tympanograms were compared with their intraoperative counterparts and the presence or absence of middle ear effusion at myringotomy. When preoperative tympanograms were consistent with pneumatized middle ears, intraoperative findings demonstrated a mean middle ear pressure increase of +147 daPa. When preoperative tympanometry suggested middle ear effusion, less than 1% demonstrated intraoperative tympanometric changes and/or findings at surgery that would support anesthesia clearing middle ear effusion. Preoperative tympanometric data were poor predictors of the presence or absence of effusion at myringotomy. The relationship between inhalation anesthetics (i.e., nitrous oxide and halothane) and middle ear fluids, and the reliability of tympanometry to predict middle ear effusion are discussed.     

腺样体铲除术对咽鼓管功能影响的研究

目的:观察鼻内镜下经口腔腺样体铲除术与传统腺样体铲除术对腺样体肥大患者咽鼓管功能的影响。方法:选取诊断为腺样体肥大且不伴中耳炎的住院患者为研究对象,分别采用鼻内镜下经口腔腺样体铲除术和传统腺样体铲除术,在治疗前及治疗3个月后分别检测咽鼓管功能。结果:2组患者治疗前咽鼓管功能检查无统计学差异,治疗后与术前相比,2组均有统计学差异;治疗后2组之间差异也有统计学意义。结论:鼻内镜下经口腔腺样体铲除术和传统腺样体铲除术均可改善腺样体肥大患者的咽鼓管功能,且鼻内镜下经口腔腺样体铲除术对咽鼓管功能的改善优于传统腺样体铲除术。     

Middle ear effusion and allergy in childhood

Besides mechanical or infectious factors in the genesis of secretory otitis media IgE-mediated hypersensitivity has often been discussed. In order to estimate the importance of an allergic reaction in the development of middle ear disease, we examined 27 children having adenoids and a secretory otitis media. We documented the patients' history of allergy and determined the IgE-levels in the serum, the middle ear effusions and the adenoid tissue. 5 out of 27 children suffered from an allergy of the upper respiratory tract, but only in one child we found an elevated level of IgE in middle ear effusion. On the basis of our investigations and recent literature, we suggest that an allergic rhinitis might cause an Eustachian tube dysfunction in a few patients. There is no evidence of a local allergic reaction of the middle ear mucosa.     

Diagnosis and therapy of seromucous otitis. Experience with 2766 operations on children

We compared tympanometric patterns with the type of ear effusion on 1693 ears of children with chronic seromucous otitis. There was no exact agreement between the tympanograms and the viscosity of the middle ear effusion. We inserted ventilating tubes in 943 of 2766 ears with SOM. A tube was only used if there was mucus in the middle ear. In cases of thin fluid we used myringotomy alone. A test to find the best tube is discussed. For a child with SOM the insertion of a ventilation tube is so helpful and complications so rare that in our opinion there is no better way of treatment. The complications are probably related more to the underlying disease than to the ventilation tube.     

Negative pressure tympanograms in children less than 2 years of age--different bacterial findings in otitis media by tympanometric results

OBJECTIVE: The interpretation of negative pressure tympanograms as indicators of the presence of middle ear fluid has been ambiguous. Our purpose was to assess the occurrence and implications of negative pressure tympanograms and to study their association with bacterial pathogens in otitis media. METHODS: Altogether 329 infants were enrolled at a well-baby clinic for the Finnish Otitis Media Cohort Study, a longitudinal prospective cohort study. The children were closely followed in a special study clinic from 2 to 24 months of age for respiratory diseases, especially acute otitis media. Children were examined at the study clinic with tympanometry and pneumatic otoscopy whenever visiting the study clinic for respiratory disease. Myringotomy with aspiration was performed if middle ear fluid was suspected in otoscopy. Occurrence of middle ear fluid in ears with negative pressure tympanograms (less than -100 daPa) was assessed. Nested case control design matched by visit type (acute or follow-up visit) and month of visit was used for analysis of association of bacterial pathogens and tympanometric results. RESULTS: Middle ear fluid was encountered in 15% of ears with negative tympanometric peak pressure, a lower proportion than described previously. In otitis media with a negative tympanometric peak pressure, 71% of bacterial cultures remained negative for the main pathogens, compared to 36% in matched controls (P<0.001). Especially Streptococcus pneumoniae but also Haemophilus influenzae were rarely found in samples from negative pressure ears. Moraxella catarrhalis was equally often found. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pressure tympanogram is a poor indicator for the presence of middle ear fluid. Furthermore, if otitis media is diagnosed with negative tympanometric peak pressure negative middle ear bacterial culture for the main pathogens is highly probable. Expectant follow-up might be more appropriate than routine antibiotic treatment.     

Update on eustachian tube dysfunction and the patulous eustachian tube

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent knowledge on eustachian tube dysfunction and the patulous eustachian tube. RECENT FINDINGS: A clinically useful test for eustachian tube function is still lacking. Narrowing of the isthmus alone was demonstrated to be an insufficient cause of otitis media. Inflammatory mediators identified within the eustachian tube and middle ear cells were causally linked with otitis media with effusion. Increasing evidence was found that allergic disease and reflux may be two of the most important contributors of tubal inflammation causing otitis media with effusion. The adenoid size and proximity to the torus tubaris may also be important in considering which patients with persistent otitis media with effusion may benefit from adenoidectomy. Computed tomography scan has documented loss of soft tissue within the cartilaginous eustachian tube in patients with patulous eustachian tubes. An endoscopic approach to seal the tubal lumen has been found to be effective in relieving patulous symptoms. SUMMARY: These studies suggest that allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux should be investigated in patients with eustachian tube dysfunction. Adenoidectomy should also be considered in patients who have adenoids that obstruct the torus tubaris. Patients with a patulous eustachian tube may benefit from an endoscopic closure. Further research is needed to identify a clinically useful test for eustachian tube dysfunction.     

Evidence of allergic inflammation in the middle ear and nasopharynx in atopic children with otitis media with effusion

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) occurs in the setting of eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction. Previous studies have demonstrated a predominance of T helper 2 (Th2) mediators in the middle ear effusions (MEEs) of atopic children, suggesting that allergy plays a role in the pathogenesis of OME. Given that the middle ear is contiguous with the upper airway, the allergic inflammation seen in the middle ear of atopic patients with OME may also have been observed in the nasopharynx. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that atopic children have different cellular and cytokine profiles in MEE compared with nonatopic patients and that this allergic inflammation occurs in both the middle ear and the nasopharynx. METHODS: Forty-five patients undergoing both ventilation tube placement for OME and adenoidectomy for adenoid hypertrophy were recruited. The atopic status was determined for each patient using standard skin testing. The cellular and cytokine profiles of the MEEs and the torus tubarius and adenoid tissues were investigated using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Our results indicate that, within the atopic patient, there is a similar cellular and cytokine profile within the three regions sampled, with a predominant expression of interleukin-4 (a Th2 cytokine) and an increased infiltration of eosinophils compared with the nonatopic patient. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the association of allergy with MEE and support the hypothesis that the middle ear may be an integral part of the United Airway Concept.     

Age and adenoid size in relation to adenoidectomy in otitis media with effusion

A previously reported study showed that adenoidectomy resolved effusions in chronic bilateral otitis media with effusion in 36 to 46 per cent of 103 children. This work includes 52 additional cases and assesses the effect of age and adenoid size in relation to adenoidectomy. Pre-operative lateral cephalometric radiographs showed the adenoid size and postnasal space airway. Surgery was allocated randomly into three groups: adenotonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and no surgery. In addition, in all cases a unilateral myringotomy and ventilating tube insertion were performed. The ear not operated upon was assessed for clearance of the effusion at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Following adenoidectomy the effusion resolved in the ear not operated upon in 31 to 45 per cent of cases assessed after 1 year. Tonsillectomy conferred no additional benefit. There was a trend for improved clearance of effusions in children more than 6 years of age, compared with those less than 6 years of age. There was also a trend for improved clearance after removal of larger adenoids from children with smaller postnasal space airways, but this was only significant for 3 months postoperatively.     

Lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions: flow cytometry analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions, peripheral blood, and adenoids in children suffering from otitis media with effusion. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-three children (55 ears) undergoing myringotomy for otitis media with effusion. METHODS: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer cell populations were investigated in middle ear effusion, peripheral blood, and adenoids using a three-color monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry method for quantitative estimation. RESULTS: T cells (CD3) are dominating lymphocytes in middle ear effusion. Among T lymphocytes, the majority are those of the helper type (CD4). The dominating isoform among CD4 lymphocytes are memory cells (CD4CD45RO); among CD8 lymphocytes, naive cells (CD8CD45RA). The percentage of CD4 cells, CD8 cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in middle ear effusions than in blood. The percentage of memory CD4 lymphocytes and naive CD8 lymphocytes was significantly lower in the middle ear effusion. Lymphocyte subsets were compared between 22 pairs of effusions from each patient. The percentage of each type of cell did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate local regulation of the lymphocyte profile in middle ear effusions and the same phase of immune response in two ears of the same patient.     

Does Helicobacter pylori have role in development of otitis media with effusion?

OBJECTIVE: Recently, it was suggested that tonsil and adenoid tissues may act as a reservoir for Helicobacter pylori (HP). A connection between chronic tubotympanal disorders and gastroesophageal reflux is well recognized, but the mechanism underlying this relationship is unclear. In this study, we investigated possible presence of HP in adenoid tissue and middle ear effusions in patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) and we compared the data with the results of the children who had adenoid hypertrophy without OME. METHODS: The study was comprised of 38 consecutive children with adenoid hypertrophy and/or chronic OME. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 18 subjects having OME+adenoid hypertrophy and the second group included 20 subjects having solely adenoid hypertrophy. Each patient underwent the appropriate surgical procedure; myringotomy, placement of tympanostomy tubes and/or adenoidectomy. After myringotomy, the middle ear effusions were collected in a suction and collection device and a core biopsy specimen was taken from each adenoid tissue following adenoidectomy. DNA extracted from these samples was used for the amplification of 23S ribosomal RNA gene of HP by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In the first group 34 effusion samples were obtained from ears of 18 patients (two had unilateral OME). HP was found to be positive in 12 children (67%) and 16 of 34 ears (47%) with RT-PCR. In eight children HP was positive in only one ear and in four children in both ears. No positive reaction was seen in tissue samples obtained from adenoids of these patients. In the second group a positive reaction was seen in adenoid tissue of only one patient. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there is HP presence in middle ears of the children with chronic OME, indicating HP having a possible role in OME pathogenesis. In addition, we demonstrated HP presence in only 1 of 38 adenoid specimens supporting the idea that adenoid tissue does not act as a reservoir for HP.     

Prospective tympanometry in 3-year-old children. A study of the spontaneous course of tympanometry types in a nonselected population.

For six months we observed all 3-year-old children showing type B or C tympanograms at a prevalence study in a geographically limited area (372 ears or 37.2% of the screened total) to study the spontaneous course of middle ear effusions. A considerable test-retest stability was found only for type B. In type C, such stability was equally rare whether the middle ear pressure was highly or only slightly negative. Conversion to type A was observed in about 70% of cases. Ears having a middle ear pressure from -100 to -199 mm H2O almost always returned to normal. The tendency for a negative middle ear pressure or middle ear effusion to develop was the same for both sexes. Conversely, the prognosis of an effusion, once formed, differed significantly, with only girls showing a brief course. Accordingly, a sex-differentiated evaluation appears to be needed in preschool tympanometric screening, and should be included in all clinical considerations when middle ear effusion is demonstrated in young children.     

Nasal surgery and eustachian tube function: effects on middle ear ventilation

Objectives: To investigate the effect of nasal obstruction surgery on eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University Campus Bio‐Medico of Rome. Participants: Forty consecutive patients who underwent nasal surgery were evaluated for middle ear ventilation and tubal function. Main outcome measures: Pre‐ and postoperative Valsalva and Toynbee tubal function tests, tympanometry and ear fullness sensation were evaluated for both ears of each patient. Results: Results of postoperative tubal function tests were significantly better than preoperative ones (90% versus 46%; P < 0.001). No significant difference in tympanometric values was found. The majority (95%) of the patients reported a postoperative improvement of ear fullness sensation compared with preoperative (25%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Surgery for chronic nasal obstruction significantly improves clinical tubal function but 1‐month postoperative tympanometric findings remain almost the same.     

Direct application of dexamethasone for the treatment of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction

We undertook a prospective study to determine the safety and effectiveness of the direct administration of a steroid to the eustachian tube via the Silverstein MicroWick in 11 patients with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, including two who had Samter's triad. All patients had previously been treated with medical therapy and surgical middle ear ventilation without resolution. The MicroWick was placed directly in the eustachian tube orifice through a pressure-equalization tube. Patients received 3 drops of dexamethasone 4 mg/ml three times a day. The drops were discontinued after 4 weeks, and the MicroWick and ventilation tube were removed after 3 months. At study's end, eight patients (72.7%) reported subjective improvement in terms of a reduction in aural pressure and fullness. Audiometric testing demonstrated a 55% reduction in the mean air-bone gap and a 3% increase in the mean speech discrimination score. Bone pure-tone averages remained stable. Tympanometry showed that five patients (45.5%) converted from type B or C tympanograms to type A. Four patients (36.4%) had persistent perforations. Both patients with Samter's triad improved with therapy. These preliminary results suggest that direct dexamethasone administration to the eustachian tube is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. Long-term studies to confirm these findings are under way.