局麻下咽鼓管球囊扩张术加鼓膜置管术治疗顽固性分泌性中耳炎

目的：探讨局麻下咽鼓管球囊扩张术加鼓膜置管术治疗顽固性分泌性中耳炎的临床疗效。方法收集顽固性分泌性中耳炎患者20例（24耳）,于门诊局麻下,结合鼻内镜经鼻腔径路行咽鼓管咽口球囊扩张,并行鼓膜置管。所有患者均于术后3个月拔出T型管。结果术后随访6个月,18例患者耳闷塞感、听物朦胧感症状明显减轻,未再出现鼓室内积液。2例术后仍有耳内闷胀及听力下降,耳内镜检查示鼓室积液未吸收,再次置入T型通气管后症状改善。结论局麻下行咽鼓管球囊扩张术加鼓膜置管术治疗顽固性分泌性中耳炎疗效显著,对于改善咽鼓管功能方法安全可行,并发症极小,是一种微创的新方法。     

Direct measurement of middle ear pressure through the eustachian tube

We report a method for measuring middle ear pressure through the eustachian tube. We used a 1-mm-diameter micro-tip catheter pressure transducer (Mikro-tip) and inserted this into the tympanic cavity through the eustachian tube. In preliminary studies, we measured four normal ears, two ears with tubal dysfunction, one ear with a dry perforation and 13 ears with otitis media with effusion (OME). Among those ears with OME, three showed negative middle ear pressure, three slight positive pressure and one normal pressure. These findings suggest that our transtubal method is reliable and useful for measuring middle ear pressure.     

Direct measurement of middle ear pressure through the eustachian tube

Summary We report a method for measuring middle ear pressure through the eustachian tube. We used a 1-mm-diameter micro-tip catheter pressure transducer (Mikro-tip) and inserted this into the tympanic cavity through the eustachian tube. In preliminary studies, we measured four normal ears, two ears with tubal dysfunction, one ear with a dry perforation and 13 ears with otitis media with effusion (OME). Among those ears with OME, three showed negative middle ear pressure, three slight positive pressure and one normal pressure. These findings suggest that our transtubal method is reliable and useful for measuring middle ear pressure.     

鼓膜置管治疗鼻咽癌放疗后分泌性中耳炎疗效观察

目的:探讨鼓膜置管对鼻咽癌(NPC)放疗后的分泌性中耳炎(SOM)的疗效。方法:对32例(51耳) NPC放疗后经鼓膜切开抽液冲洗治疗无效的SOM患者进行鼓膜置管和随访,对治疗耳的咽鼓管功能、听力及其 他症状的改变进行评估。结果:随访6个月～5年,治愈8耳,治愈率为15.7%,有效41耳,总有效率为96.1%。 7耳(13.7%)咽鼓管功能好转,所有重复置管耳的耳功能均得到不同程度的改善。置管后耳漏发生率为25.5%, 鼓膜穿孔发生率为9.8%。结论:鼓膜置管治疗SOM有利于咽鼓管功能的恢复,对于咽鼓管功能已经严重损害 的患耳,重复鼓膜置管是维持耳功能的可靠手段;鼓膜置管的并发症利大于弊。     

Transient inflammation and dysfunction of the eustachian tube secondary to multiple exposures of simulated gastroesophageal refluxant

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the newborn and preschool periods. Recent research suggests that it may be related to eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between simulated gastroesophageal reflux and eustachian tube dysfunction. Rat middle ears were repeatedly exposed (transtympanically) to pepsin in hydrochloric acid or to phosphate-buffered saline solution. Their eustachian tube function was evaluated by assessing passive opening and passive closing pressures, and active clearance of positive and negative pressure. The passive pressure function tests showed variable results. The rats exposed to pepsin in hydrochloric acid had an impaired ability to clear positive and negative pressure from the middle ear as compared to the rats exposed only to phosphate-buffered saline solution. The results demonstrate that multiple middle ear exposures to pepsin in hydrochloric acid leads to eustachian tube dysfunction in rats.     

Sonotubometry findings in children at high risk from middle ear effusion.

The functioning of the eustachian tube has an important role to play in the development of middle ear disease. It would be useful if a clinical test could assist in the identification of eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly if this is shown to be an indicator of persistent middle ear effusion. The aim of this study was to compare the results of sonotubometry using the MMS-10 instrument in children at high risk from middle ear effusion with a group of normal subjects. Forty-one subjects (age range 5-6 years) were allocated to one of two groups (experimental group, 21 subjects; control group 20 subjects) based on a questionnaire designed to identify subjects at high risk from middle ear effusion. The test protocol allowed each subject to swallow three times for each of two pure-tones (7 and 8 kHz) delivered by the nasal probe. Sonotubometry indicated opening of the eustachian tube on swallowing in around 80% of subjects. The incidence of positive findings varied greatly amongst subjects across both groups. In the control group, the mean increase in sound pressure level on swallowing was 11.5 dB (+/- 4.3) and 9.8 dB (+/- 2.5) for 7 and 8 kHz, respectively. The corresponding means for duration were 118 ms (+/- 47.9) and 137 ms (+/- 61.8). Sonotubometry failed to demonstrate a difference between the two groups of subjects. Hence, the clinical application of sonotubometry to identify subjects at high risk from middle ear effusion is not supported.     

Influence of nasal allergic reactions on the clearance of middle ear effusion

In order to investigate the influence of nasal allergic reactions on the clearance of middle ear effusion, an animal model of nasal allergy and otitis media with effusion was produced in the same guinea pigs simultaneously by passive sensitization with serum of homologous animals containing IgE antibodies (for nasal allergy) and by inoculation of immunocomplex into the tympanic cavity (for otitis media with effusion). Usually, middle ear effusion appeared within 2 to 3 days and disappeared within 7 to 9 days after the inoculation of immunocomplex. Three days after the inoculation of immunocomplex, intranasal antigen challenge was performed three times daily and continued until the animals were killed. Disappearance of middle ear effusion appeared to be delayed in animals in which nasal allergic reactions were induced. Middle ear effusion was not found in those ears that were not inoculated with immunocomplex. Findings of the present study indicate that IgE-mediated allergic reactions of the mucous membrane lining the nose, nasopharynx, and eustachian tube constitute a factor indicative of a chronic state of disease, rather than a cause of otitis media with effusion.     

Sonotubometry findings in children at high risk from middle ear effusion

The functioning of the eustachian tube has an important role to play in the development of middle ear disease. It would be useful if a clinical test could assist in the identification of eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly if this is shown to be an indicator of persistent middle ear effusion. The aim of this study was to compare the results of sonotubometry using the MMS-10 instrument in children at high risk from middle ear effusion with a group of normal subjects. Forty-one subjects (age range 5–6 years) were allocated to one of two groups (experimental group, 21 subjects; control group 20 subjects) based on a questionnaire designed to identify subjects at high risk from middle ear effusion. The test protocol allowed each subject to swallow three times for each of two pure-tones (7 and 8 kHz) delivered by the nasal probe. Sonotubometry indicated opening of the eustachian tube on swallowing in around 80% of subjects. The incidence of positive findings varied greatly amongst subjects across both groups. In the control group, the mean increase in sound pressure level on swallowing was 11.5 dB (± 4.3) and 9.8 dB (± 2.5) for 7 and 8 kHz, respectively. The corresponding means for duration were 118 ms (± 47.9) and 137 ms (± 61.8). Sonotubometry failed to demonstrate a difference between the two groups of subjects. Hence, the clinical application of sonotubometry to identify subjects at high risk from middle ear effusion is not supported.     

Clinical characteristics of so called eosinophilic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: Although "eosinophilic otitis media" is not as uncommon a condition as was previously believed, its cause and pathogenesis are not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics in patients with "eosinophilic otitis media" to clarify its pathogenesis. METHODS: Seven adult patients with persistent and intractable otitis media with viscous middle ear effusion containing many eosinophils, who were also under treatment for bronchial asthma, were studied. The following examinations were conducted: nasopharyngeal endoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, eustachian tube function test, temporal bone CT scan, blood analysis, bacterial and fungal culture of middle ear effusion, histological study of the middle ear and nasal specimens, and measurement of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in middle ear effusion. RESULTS: Some patients had persistent perforation with papillomatous granulation tissue arising from the mesotympanic mucosa, and all the patients had nasal polyposis. The pure-tone audiometry showed the mixed-type of hearing loss in all the patients, and the hearing level deteriorated progressively during the course in some patients. The eustachian tube function was not always poor but was patulous in some cases. The most severely diseased areas were in the eustachian tube and mesotympanum by temporal bone CT images. All the seven patients had the high levels of total serum IgE, but the RAST scores were negative in three patients and low grade in three patients. The accumulation of eosinophils was observed in middle ear effusion, middle ear mucosa and nasal polyps, and the eosinophils were highly activated with degranulation. High level of ECP was also recovered from middle ear effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Active eosinophilic inflammation occurs in the entire respiratory tract, including the middle ear in these patients. From our present investigation, we propose the criteria and clinical characteristics of "eosinophilic otitis media".     

咽鼓管功能障碍的慢性化脓性中耳炎治疗分析

目的 探讨合并咽鼓管功能障碍的慢性化脓性中耳炎病例的适宜手术方案。 方法 收集咽鼓管功能障碍的慢性化脓性中耳炎病例68耳,分为观察组(28耳),同期行中耳乳突手术及咽鼓管球囊扩张术,对照组(40耳),仅行中耳乳突手术。术前,术后3个月、6个月、12个月分别以ETDQ-7评分、听阈、气骨导差进行对比。 结果 观察组术后6~12个月随访气导平均听力改善率为89%(25/28),干耳率93%(26/28)。对照组听力改善率为75%(30/40),干耳率95%(38/40)。观察组术后3~6个月EDDQ-7评分及听阈达到较明显缓解,但术后6~12个月上述指标有加重趋势。观察组及对照组术后听力均比术前听力提高,有统计学差异,两组的术后听力相对比,观察组优于对照组,有统计学意义。 结论 在咽鼓管功能障碍的慢性化脓性中耳炎患者中,中耳手术同期咽鼓管球囊扩张术较单纯中耳手术的听力改善率高,改善程度高,重新内陷率低,重新粘连率低,干耳率无明显差别。术后3~6个月患者咽鼓管相应症状达到较明显缓解,6~12个月症状有反复。     

表面活性物质在分泌性中耳炎咽鼓管开放功能中的作用

目的　探讨外源性的表面活性物质在分泌性中耳炎咽鼓管开放功能中的作用。方法　通过鼓室内注入灭活的肺炎链球菌悬液 ,建立分泌性中耳炎动物模型 ,测试咽鼓管的被动开放压。结果　测试了中耳有渗液者 2 7耳和正常者 2 1耳的咽鼓管被动开放压 ,有渗液耳的被动开放压高于正常耳的被动开放压 ,分别注入外源性的表面活性剂后 ,被动开放压均降低 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　外源性的表面活性剂可以降低咽鼓管的表面张力 ,有利于咽鼓管的开放     

Implications of laser assisted tympanostomy in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To assess outcome in adult individuals undergoing laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tube placement. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with 2-month follow-up. SETTING: Faculty practice, research protocol, tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Laser-assisted tympanostomy was performed on a total of 142 ears (108 individuals). Indications included serous otitis media with effusion (66 ears/47 patients), functional eustachian tube dysfunction (48 ears/36 patients), acute otitis media (19 ears/16 patients), and endoscopic visualization of the middle ear (9 ears/9 patients). INTERVENTION: The laser-assisted tympanostomy procedure is performed with a CO2 laser under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patency time of the tympanostomy, presence of fluid after the closure of the tympanostomy, tympanometry and tone audiometry findings, relief of symptoms. RESULTS: Middle ear disease was resolved after the closure of tympanostomy in 47.9% of patients with serous otitis media with effusion. In 79.1% of patients with functional eustachian tube dysfunction, symptoms were diminished. All patients with acute otitis media had a satisfactory outcome. Laser-assisted tympanostomy was found to be quite helpful in patients undergoing middle ear endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes provides a safe alternative surgical option in adult patients in certain cases. The selection criteria for this procedure are addressed in detail.     

Ligation of eustachian tube for intractable patulous eustachian tube: a preliminary report

Pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube was ligated on ten patients, 15 ears with intractable patulous eustachian tube. While the eustachian tube orifice was observed by an endoscope inserted through the contralateral nostril, the orifice was ligated transnasally and/or transorally using instruments usually used in the endoscopic nasal surgery. Now 13–27 months after the surgery, the outcome was excellent (both symptoms and sonotubometry were normalized) in two ears, good (either symptoms or sonotubometry was improved) in seven ears, and unchanged in the remaining six ears. In one of the ears with an outcome of unchanged, the ligation was found to be spontaneously released soon after surgery, but the symptom was improved after the second operation 2.5 months after the first operation. Temporary otitis media with effusion was seen in one ear, mild inflammation around the ligated site also in one ear, but no other serious complication has been observed. Although further improvement in the surgical procedure and further discussion about its long-term outcome should be required, this procedure appeared to be one of the therapeutic options for intractable patulous eustachian tube.     

Transtympanic endoscopic findings in patients with otitis media with effusion

Using a fine, rigid endoscope (Olympus, SES-1711K), we examined the middle ear, including the tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, of children with otitis media with effusion (OME) in its active stage (26 ears), in the convalescent stage (13 ears), and during treatment with ventilation tubes for 10 days to 6 months (five ears) through myringotomy with the patients under general anesthesia. Several color photographs of representative ears are shown. In the active stage of OME, edema (73.1%) and hyperemia (23.1%) were characteristic features of the middle ear mucosa, and normal mucosa was seen in only one ear (3.1%). The tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, which could be examined in 12 ears, were stenosed with edema in four ears (33.3%) or plugged with effusion in three ears (25.0%) in this group. In the convalescent stage of OME, dilated vessels were most often seen (69.2%), but the rest of the patients had normal mucosa (30.8%) in the middle ear, and none of them had edema nor hyperemia. The tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, which could be examined in five ears, was clearly patent in all the patients in this group. One ear that was treated with a ventilation tube for 1 month showed dilated vessels and less severe inflammation than did ears that were in the active stage of OME, and three ears that were treated for more than 3 months showed almost normal middle ear mucosa.     

Structural changes in the rat middle ear mucosa due to endotoxin and eustachian tube obstruction

The middle ears of 48 rats were used to examine the effects of endotoxin injection, eustachian tube obstruction or a combination of eustachian tube obstruction and endotoxin injection. Animals were killed after 1, 2, 4, or 12 weeks and the middle ears processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the normal middle ear mucosa, the epithelial layer was more pseudostratified, cuboidal or cylindrical after endotoxin injection or obstruction of the eustachian tube. In the early phase, numerous ciliated cells occurred in areas originally almost devoid of these cells. At 3 months, degeneration of ciliated cells was observed. The combination of eustachian tube obstruction and endotoxin injection also induced a more pseudostratified, cuboidal or cylindrical epithelium with an increased number of goblet cells. However, an early decrease occurred in the number of ciliated cells in the tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube. Furthermore, inflammatory cells, mainly PMNs, macrophages and lymphocytes, invaded the subepithelial layer after eustachian tube obstruction and endotoxin injection. These structural changes resulted in an impairment of the mucociliary transport system for clearance of the middle ear cavity. For this reason we believe that both endotoxin and eustachian tube obstruction or dysfunction play an important role in inducing persistent mucosal changes in the middle ear cavity, thereby prolonging otitis media with effusion. Received: 13 February 1998 / Accepted: 4 August 1998     

Pediatric tympanoplasty: effect of contralateral ear status on outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of different variables on the outcome of pediatric type I tympanoplasty. DESIGN: Retrospective review of medical records. SETTING: An otolaryngology department in a large urban tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: We reviewed 72 ears in 60 patients who had undergone a type I tympanoplasty from 1987 to 2000. Patient ages ranged from 3 to 18 years. INTERVENTIONS: Type I tympanoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We identified the following 3 criteria for success: (1) healing of the neotympanic graft; (2) healing of the graft with a postoperative air-bone gap of no greater than 20 dB; and (3) healing of the graft with aeration of the middle ear space. RESULTS: Healing occurred in 59 (82%) of the 72 neotympanic grafts; 39 (83%) of the 47 healed ears for which a postoperative audiogram was available had an air-bone gap of no greater than 20 dB; and 49 (83%) of the 59 healed ears had a normally aerated middle ear space. A statistically significant difference in the rate of graft healing was identified for large perforations (76%), as well as for creation of an aerated middle ear space, when there was evidence of ongoing contralateral eustachian tube dysfunction (ie, otitis media with effusion or negative middle ear pressure, but not a perforation). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric type I tympanoplasty can offer reasonably good chances for postoperative graft healing, serviceable hearing, and creation of an air-containing middle ear space if performed in carefully selected patients. Caution should be exercised in performing tympanoplasty in children with evidence of ongoing eustachian tube dysfunction, as evidenced by otitis media with effusion and negative middle ear pressure, but not perforations, in the contralateral ear.     

Laser eustachian tuboplasty: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Surgical correction of eustachian tube dysfunction remains an elusive challenge. Repeat ventilation tube placement is often inadequate to prevent tympanic membrane and middle ear complications. Endoscopic analyses of eustachian tube dynamics have localized the site of primary pathophysiology to within the cartilaginous tube. The study investigated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a new endoluminal eustachian tube operation for the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, institutional review board-approved surgical trial in a tertiary-care medical center. METHODS: Ten patients with more than 5 consecutive years of intractable otitis media with effusion recurring after two or more tympanostomy tube placements were treated with unilateral laser eustachian tuboplasty. Surgery was performed on an outpatient basis with the use of general anesthesia and combined both transnasal and transoral approaches. A 980-nm diode or argon laser was used to vaporize an appropriate amount of mucosa and cartilage on the posterior wall of the tubal lumen. Preoperative and postoperative dynamic video eustachian tube function analyses were compared. Outcome measures were presence or absence of middle ear effusion and impedance tympanograms. RESULTS: Five patients had at least 12 months of follow-up, and three of them had absence of any effusion (60%). Two patients had recurrence of their otitis media with effusion and required tympanostomy tubes again. Five patients had at least 6 months of follow-up, and four of them had absence of any effusion. The remaining patient had recurrence of otitis media with effusion and received a tympanostomy tube again. Overall results for all 10 patients after 6 months were 7 free of effusion (70%). There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications were limited to minimal peritubal adhesions and one intranasal synechia. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that laser eustachian tuboplasty is safe and efficacious in the treatment of intractable eustachian tube dysfunction. Further study will be necessary to determine whether laser eustachian tuboplasty is a suitable alternative to repeated tympanostomy tube placement in selected patients.     

Seasonal allergic rhinitis and its effects on eustachian tube function and middle ear pressure.

Middle ear pressure was recorded from 396 ears and aural symptoms inquired of 198 adult subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Evidence of eustachian tube dysfunction was found in 24% of subjects. Increased duration of exposure to pollen over a further 2 weeks increased the incidence of eustachian tube dysfunction to 48%. The development of eustachian tube dysfunction did not correlate with the severity of nasal symptoms.     

Clearance by the mucociliary system in 'simple chronic otitis media'.

This is a study of the rate of middle ear clearance in chronic otitis media and atelectatic ears. The clearance rate was measured with the aid of non-soluble saccharin, introduced into the middle ear through an existing perforation in 'chronic ears', or through a ventilating tube in atelectatic ears. Cholesteatomatous ears were excluded. Altogether 122 ears were examined and about two-thirds of the subjects felt the sweet taste in their mouths thereafter. The average time it took for the saccharin to be transported from the middle ear to the taste buds was 33' 22" minutes in non-infected (i.e. dry) chronic ears (38 patients or 66 per cent). Wet or infected ears with chronic otitis media (30 patients, or 58 per cent) showed a slower transport rate, averaging 54' 22" minutes--the difference was significant at the 0.01 level. 8 (63 per cent) of the atelectatic ears transported the saccharin at an average rate of 50' 25". This study demonstrated that most ears with 'simple' chronic otitis media and atelectatic ears have a patent eustachian tube and that their mucociliary system can transport foreign particles through it. When the ear is infected, transport tends to be slowed down.