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.     

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.     

Site of eustachian tube dysfunction in patients with otitis media with effusion

This study was conducted to identify an exact site of ventilatory dysfunction within the eustachian tube among patients with otitis media with effusion (OME). Using 10 adults with OME, a fine polyethylene tube with a small pore at its tip was inserted into the eustachian tube via its pharyngeal orifice. Negative middle ear pressure was applied through a ventilation tube in the eardrum, and the patients were asked to swallow repeatedly at every 5-mm depth of insertion of the polyethylene tube toward the middle ear. Negative middle ear pressure could be equilibrated by swallowing within 10 mm of tube advancement from the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube in seven of ten patients. It was concluded that the site of tubal ventilatory dysfunction is in the distal part of the cartilaginous portion of the eustachian tube in most adult patients with OME.     

Theoretic analysis of middle ear gas composition under conditions of nonphysiologic ventilation.

As gas flows in and out of the nasopharynx, the pressure in that region fluctuates. It drops below or rises above atmospheric pressure, which is itself not constant but is subject to changes in altitude and weather. Such pressure changes in the nasopharynx produce a pumping of gas into and out of the middle ear. The net amount of middle ear gas transferred from or to the nasopharynx will, component for component, in steady state exactly equal the amount of middle ear gas transferred to or from the microcirculation by means of diffusional absorption by (or release from) the mucosa. In the case of a permanently patulous eustachian tube, a single parameter, characteristic of the rate of ventilation through the open eustachian tube, is found to determine the gas composition in the middle ear, whereas in the case of a middle ear ventilated by tympanostomy, two rate-of-ventilation parameters, one for gas flow through the ventilation tube and one for flow through a periodically open eustachian tube, determine the steady state gas composition. A high rate of ventilation favors absorption of oxygen and venting of carbon dioxide from the middle ear in both cases.     

中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的诊断及治疗

目的:探讨中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的发病原因、诊断和接受中耳乳突手术治疗后的效果。方法:回顾性分析我院1999年8月～2004年4月接受中耳乳突手术治疗和经病理证实的18例(19耳)中耳胆固醇肉芽肿患者的临床资料,其中,接受完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查加中耳置管术7耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查加听骨链成形加中耳置管术2耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查术3耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓膜成形术2耳,开放式乳突根治加鼓室成形术4耳,单纯乳突切除术1耳。结果:置管者术后1～3个月拔除中耳通气管,鼓膜愈合良好;未置中耳通气管者,1～2个月鼓膜颜色正常。术后听力均有不同程度提高,纯音测听达到应用水平(语频气导平均听阈30dB以内)15耳(79%)。所有患者随访0.5～2年,除1耳因咽鼓管不通,长期留置中耳通气管外,其余患者无复发。结论:中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的病因为中耳炎症引起含气腔通气受阻,引流障碍及含气腔出血。确诊有赖于病理诊断。中耳乳突手术彻底去除病变,建立乳突鼓室咽鼓管良好的通气系统,是手术成功的关键。     

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.     

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.     

Clearance of the eustachian tube under negative middle ear pressure

The influence of negative middle ear pressure on clearance function of the eustachian tube was examined in cats. In experiment 1, mucociliary clearance of a colored fluid through the eustachian tube was examined under negative middle ear pressure. The results showed that negative pressure affects mucociliary clearance only at quite high levels. In experiment 2, muscular clearance of fluid under negative middle ear pressure was investigated during electrical stimulation of the tensor veli palatini muscle. It was found that massive discharge of fluid by the muscle activity occurs only when the negative middle ear pressure was low. For massive discharge of effusion, muscular clearance is more effective than ciliary clearance. The findings suggest that it is clinically important to maintain middle ear ventilation.     

Middle ear ventilation tubes

Twenty years have now passed since the first tube was placed through the tympanic membrane for middle ear ventilation. In this relatively short period of time, many different ideas for tube design have emerged and are presented. The types of middle ear fluid formation and the relationship of this formation to impaired eustachian tube function are discussed. The main indication for indwelling tubes is chronic secretory otitis media with effusion which fails to respond to conservative treatment; however, indications have been expanded with continued experience. The complications associated with the use of middle ear ventilation tubes are presented. Five years' experience using ventilation tubes in 1,460 ears is reported. Conclusions are based on data compiled from this study.     

Permanent mastoid vent: a new treatment for persistent eustachian tube obstruction

To date, there is no satisfactory treatment for persistent eustachian tube blockage or negative pressure in the middle ear. Conventional ventilation tubes are usually either occluded or extruded with time. A new treatment of percutaneous mastoid vent provides permanent ventilation to the middle ear cleft without putting a tube through the eardrum. A titanium tube is inserted through the skin into the mastoid antrum using the established technique of osseo-integration and hence becomes truly permanent. It can also be connected to a CPAP machine to re-inflate a collapsed eardrum. Initial trials consist of six vents inserted and followed up for 6–16 months. There was no sign of extrusion or a foreign body reaction. However, an inner Teflon tube is essential to keep the vent patent for permanent ventilation to the middle ear cleft.     

中耳胆固醇肉芽肿病例分析及诊治

目的　探讨中耳胆固醇肉芽肿诊治原则及手术治疗方案的选择和疗效。方法　回顾分析我院2006年3月～2014年8月经手术和病理证实18例中耳胆固醇肉芽肿患者的临床资料。所有患者根据病变程度选择不同术式。结果　所有患者均随访半年以上。2例因咽鼓管功能障碍,需长期留置鼓膜置管;1例鼻咽癌复发转移至中耳乳突内,转肿瘤科进一步治疗;其余患者术后均干耳,无复发,纯音听阈也有不同程度改善。结论　中耳胆固醇肉芽肿病因主要有含气腔通气受阻、引流障碍、含气腔出血及骨髓裸露。中耳乳突手术彻底去除病变, 建立乳突-鼓室-咽鼓管良好的通气系统是手术成功的关键。     

Partial oxygen tension of middle ear cavity in a normobaric environment

The present theory of eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation posits that oxygen absorbed by the middle ear mucosa causes negative middle ear pressure which is relieved by periodic opening of the eustachian tube during swallowing and yawning. Measured by a PO2 sensor (Clark type) inserted into the middle ear cavity of normal adults through the eustachian tube, the partial oxygen pressure of the tympanic cavity was found 53.7 +/- 6.5 Torr (N:22). It was about one-third of ambient pressure (about 150 Torr), and showed no change when the eustachian tube was opened by swallowing. Our second study measured the effect of alterations in the systemic arterial blood oxygenation on middle ear gas exchange in 23 guinea pigs ventilated using 21% (room air), 50%, 70% and 100% oxygen at constant carbon dioxide blood gas tension. Partial oxygen tension (PO2) of middle ear cavity was measured by inserting a PO2 sensor into the tympanic bulla through a bore hole. The following results were obtained: (1) PO2 of the middle ear cavity was 39.3 +/- 2.2 Torr at room air, 42.2 +/- 0.84 Torr at 50%, 46.6 +/- 1.1 Torr at 70% and 54.5 +/- 3.7 Torr at 100% oxygen breathing. (2) There was a significant correlation between PO2 of the middle ear cavity and systemic arterial hyperoxygenation noted. Y = 30.79 + 0.056.X (r = 0.9440) (3) The rate of oxygen diffusion in the middle ear cavity was 2.665 x 10(-5) ml/min/cm2 and the rate of oxygen absorption in the middle ear space was 2.874 x 10(-5) ml/min/cm2. No significant difference between the rate of diffusion and that of absorption of oxygen in the middle ear cavity was noted. In our third study, electron microscopy shows that the submucosal capillaries of the human mastoid cells are structures which facilitate the intra- and extravascular transport of substances. It is known from these results that tympanic cavity pressure is kept equal to ambient pressure, or slightly higher to atmospheric pressure, by the respiratory function of the middle ear and mastoid cells so that outflow of air from the tympanic cavity to the pharyngeal orifice occurs during the ventilation of the eustachian tube at ambient pressure and inflow of air from the pharynx to the tympanic cavity is prevented in the absence of environmental pressure changes. The middle ear cavity has respiratory function, and in particular, such function of the mastoid cavity, which is larger in volume than the tympanic cavity, plays a significant role.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mechanical obstruction of the eustachian tube by the benign tumor of the parapharyngeal space does not cause otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE: We are reporting on eustachian tube and middle ear pathologic findings in patients with parapharyngeal tumors. PATIENTS: Eleven cases of eustachian tube involvement as indicated by obstruction due to compression of the tumor were assessed in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each patient underwent otoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, a pure-tone hearing test, impedance audiometry, and sonotubometry. RESULTS: All of the tumors were diagnosed benign according to the histologic examination. In 9 of the 11 patients, the pharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube narrowed or was blocked by the tumor. None of the patients showed any response on the tumor side in the sonotubometry. Therefore, gas exchange was prevented through the eustachian tube by the tumor; however, they also showed an intact tympanic membrane and normal hearing tests. CONCLUSION: According to our data, if there is drainage of middle ear fluid through the eustachian tube and the exchange of gas in the middle ear is preserved, otitis media with effusion will not occur even in cases such as these.     

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。     

Surgical approach to middle ear atelectasis

Surgery for middle ear atelectasis remains challenging, often with unpredictable results. This relates to an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology and natural history of atelectasis. Is the eustachian tube too firmly closed to allow equalization of pressure, resulting in middle ear gas absorption and the creation of “ex-vacuo” negative pressures? Or is there tubal incompetence allowing the negative pressures of the nasopharynx to be transduced to the middle ear? Why does retraction typically occur posteriorly if ventilation fails anteriorly?Surgery can restore function in an ear that has improved ventilation (as a result of surgery or maturation of the eustachian tube) and by constructing a TM that can resist the negative pressures of the middle ear. This can be achieved in a significant number of carefully selected patients using this technique. It is likely that with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic negative middle ear pressure, outcomes would be more predictable.     

Therapie chronisch obstruktiver Funktionsstörungen der Tuba Eustachii

This paper reviews the past and present developments in the treatment of chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction. Alongside tube catheterization and bougie insertion, modern approaches such as laser eustachian tuboplasty and balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) are described. In BET, transnasal endoscopic insertion via the pharyngeal ostium places a balloon catheter in the cartilaginous portion of the eustachian tube. This is then dilated to a pressure of 10 bar for 2 min. Up until January 2013, 351 chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction patients had been treated in our department using BET. The average preoperative eustachian tube score was 2.1 (±?1.8 standard deviation, SD); 12 months postoperatively it was 6.1 (±?2.6 SD). Of these patients, 87% expressed satisfaction with the improvement in chronic obstructive dysfunction. These results demonstrate that BET is a safe and effective treatment for improving eustachian tube function and ear ventilation.     

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.     

Gas composition and pressure in the middle ear: a model for the physiological steady state

The gas contents of the physiological middle ear periodically cycle through two phases in steady state. During phase I, the eustachian tube is shut and the middle ear gas space is effectively closed. Gas is absorbed or produced at the mucosal surface, and the total pressure changes correspondingly. During phase II, which is of very short duration, the eustachian tube opens, a bolus of gas passes between the middle ear and the nasopharynx, and the total pressure in the middle ear rapidly adjusts to that in the nasopharynx. Since nasopharyngeal pressure fluctuates in time, so does the pressure in the middle ear. The effect of these pressure changes is to produce a level of ventilation in the middle ear, which depends on a combination of three parameters: the volume of the middle ear, multiplied by the mean amplitude of pressure variations in the nasopharynx, divided by the mean elapsed time between successive eustachian tube openings. Assuming steady-state conditions, the composition of middle ear gas can be computed and is predicted to range from PN2 = 621, PO2 = 46, PCO2 = 46, PH2O = 47 mm Hg in the case when nasopharynx fluctuations are small, to a match with nasopharyngeal gas composition, when the fluctuations are large.     

Staged tympanostomy tube placement facilitates pediatric cholesteatoma management

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate results of middle ear ventilation with or without adenoidectomy prior to definitive cholesteatoma surgery in children with concomitant middle ear effusion. METHODS: Charts of 40 children seen in follow-up for acquired or congenital cholesteatoma were reviewed. Nine children underwent staged tympanostomy tube placement for concomitant middle ear effusion. Computed tomography was obtained after placement of tubes in all patients. Extent of disease by tomography was compared to disease extent at definitive surgery. Details of cholesteatoma surgeries, most recent disease status, and length of follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Three children had extensive congenital cholesteatoma, while six had acquired disease. All nine children underwent tube placement (four with adenoidectomy) prior to definitive surgery. Computed tomography obtained after middle ear ventilation accurately predicted extent of cholesteatoma involvement. Seven atticotomies, two tympanomastoidectomies, and one revision mastoidectomy were performed. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 99 months with a median of 54 months. All were free of cholesteatoma at latest assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Staged tympanostomy tube placement with or without adenoidectomy prior to tympanomastoidectomy allows superior delineation of cholesteatoma extent pre-operatively and facilitates surgery in children with concomitant middle ear effusion. Adenoidectomy may improve eustachian tube function and decrease the risk of recurrent disease.     

Physiological tympanostomy. A new technique of middle ear ventilation.

Physiological tympanostomy is advanced as a 'substitute' eustachian tube because it opens regularly only on swallowing, as does the 'natural' eustachian tube. The efficacy of the physiological tympanostomy operation was first proved in experimental animals (two dogs). Subsequently, six patients with eustachian insufficiency were successfully managed by this new surgical technique within period of one year, with no post-operative complications. The hearing improved and the middle ears remained air-filled. The method seems to have the following merits: permanent ventilation of the tympanum with preservation of an intact drum (from the functional point of view); no tympanophonia or autophonia; simple technique, short operative period (five minutes); no risk of postoperative complications; and no danger of ascending infection of the middle ear from the ear canal. The demerits appear to be: drainage not ensured; no facility to increase the middle ear pressure by the Valsalva manoeuvre or, Politzerization.