建立大鼠分泌性中耳炎模型

目的采用SD大鼠建立分泌性中耳炎动物模型,运用于科研工作。方法34只SD大鼠,一侧耳为实验耳,对侧耳为对照耳,经软腭入路采用三氯醋酸化学烧灼咽口,耳内镜、声导抗和听性脑干反应（auditory brainstem response,ABR）检测建模情况,观察HE染色光镜下咽鼓管及鼓室黏膜组织形态变化。结果34耳中有28耳鼓膜内表面黏附黏稠分泌物,光锥消失,声导抗示造模后第2～6天峰压值明显改变,造模后第6天反应阈有所升高,打开听泡可见鼓室积液,黏膜水肿,光镜下见多量炎性细胞浸润。结论采用咽鼓管咽口化学烧灼法模拟咽鼓管功能不良建立分泌性中耳炎动物模型切实可行。     

Endoscopic findings at the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube in otitis media with effusion

Transnasal endoscopy of the pharyngeal orifice of the eustachian tube was performed on 155 ears with otitis media with effusion (77 ears of children, 78 ears of adults). In children, blockage of the orifice by mucopurulent nasal discharge was the most frequent finding (72.7%), followed by compression of the orifice by the adenoid tissue (52.0%), hypertrophy of the peritubal tonsil (16.9%), and edema around the orifice, especially at its posterior lip (10.4%). In adults, the most frequent abnormal finding was edema of the orifice (26.9%), followed by blockage of the orifice by mucopurulent nasal discharge (23.1 %), and atrophy of the orifice (10.3%). In 39.7% of cases findings were normal. Thus, main pathological findings associated with tubal dysfunction involved inflammation in the nasopharynx.     

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.     

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.     

The evaluation of eustachian tube function in patients with chronic otitis media

In this study we evaluated eustachian tube function in patients with chronic otitis media and compared the results with normal subjects. Two different eustachian tube function tests were applied to 60 ears of the chronic otitis media group and 146 ears of the control group. While eustachian tube dysfunction was observed in 71.7% of the chronic suppurative otitis media group, it was only seen in 34.9% of the control group.     

鼓室成形术后的咽鼓管功能检测及意义

目的探讨咽鼓管功能对慢性化脓性中耳炎鼓室成形术后疗效的影响。方法用咽鼓管鼓室-气流动态图(tube-tympanoaerodynamicgraphy,TTAG)法及音响法对53耳鼓室成形术后的咽鼓管功能进行检测,并分析鼓室成形术后咽鼓管功能正常耳与异常耳的鼓膜生长及听力变化情况;并用鼻窦镜观察咽鼓管咽口,分析咽鼓管咽口与咽鼓管功能的关系。结果53耳鼓室成形术后咽鼓管功能正常37耳,其中29耳鼓膜生长良好;咽鼓管功能异常16耳中,有4耳鼓膜生长良好,比较咽鼓管功能正常耳与异常耳鼓膜生长良好耳数,两者有显著性差异(P<0.05);53耳术后有9耳咽鼓管咽口充血肿胀,其中2耳咽鼓管功能正常,7耳咽鼓管功能不良,提示术后咽鼓管功能障碍与咽鼓管咽口病变有关。结论慢性化脓性中耳炎鼓室成形术后咽鼓管功能与疗效关系密切,术后咽鼓管功能障碍可能是导致手术失败的原因之一。     

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     

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.     

Update on functional anatomy and pathology of human eustachian tube related to otitis media with effusion

New anatomic and histopathologic information regarding the eustachian tube and its surrounding structure as well as possible mechanisms of opening and closing function and dysfunction are discussed in this article. In the past two decades, much light has been shed on the relationship between anomalies of the eustachian tube and the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion. Now that a technique for obtaining specimens for any histopathologic study that includes the temporal bone as well as the eustachian tube is available, it is hoped that, by harvesting and examining a large number of such specimens, more information will be gained about the relation between eustachian tube pathology and eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly as it relates to otitis media effusion. Only in this way can the clinical management of otitis media be improved.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Seven cases of tuberculous otitis media

Tuberculous otitis media (TOM) is a variable and puzzling infectious disease that is sometimes confused with other chronic middle ear diseases. A series of 7 cases (9 ears) of TOM recently treated at Osaka Prefectural Habikino Hospital is reviewed to assess the recent features of the disease. In most cases, the pathogenetic mechanism was probably aspiration of tubercle bacilli through the eustachian tube. In most cases, abundant granulations were observed in the middle and external ears, but multiple perforations of the tympanic membrane were not seen. The manifestations were variable, such as otorrhea from the perforation and otitis media with effusion. In their early stage, most cases of TOMs due to transmission via the eustachian tube are tend to resemble otitis media with effusion. Smear tests, culture, PCR, and histopathological examinations, each of which has advantages and disadvantages, must be repeated to achieve a definitive diagnosis. Tuberculin tests can be unreliable, but a chest x-ray is indispensable whenever TOM is suspected. Antitubercular chemotherapy and 2% kanamycin earwash yielded good results. Since the classical criteria for the diagnosis of TOM are no longer valid, we propose a new criterion for diagnosis in the early stage of the disease.     

Prevention of otitis media with effusion by repeated air inflation in a monkey model

OBJECTIVES: To test the following hypotheses that (1) middle ear (ME) air inflation prevents the development of otitis media with effusion in a monkey model of functional eustachian tube obstruction, and (2) ME inflation treatment of otitis media with effusion can cause artifactual clinical improvements due to fluid displacement from the tympanum to the adjacent airspaces. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Twelve cynomolgus monkeys. INTERVENTIONS: Eustachian tube dysfunction was induced by botulinum paralysis of the right tensor veli palatini muscle in all monkeys. Before and on study days 9, 15, and 21 after paralysis, the presence or absence, and distribution of ME effusion were documented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Right and left ears were examined twice daily for 21 days using tympanometry, and right ME air inflation (n = 6 ears) or sham inflation (n = 6 ears) was done immediately after those examinations if the ME pressure was -100 mm H2O or less. On 10 of the scheduled MRI evaluations, the MRI was repeated immediately after an inflation to document the possible redistribution of fluid within the ME caused by the maneuver. RESULTS: Middle ear pressure remained within normal limits for the follow-up period in 11 of the 12 nonparalyzed left ears, in none of the 6 sham-inflated right ears, and in 3 of the 6 air-inflated right ears. Three air-inflated right ears developed flat tympanograms (ie, days 14 through 16). Magnetic resonance imaging documented inflammation and fluid in 1 of the 11 nonparalyzed left ears and in all sham-inflated right ears. Lesser degrees of inflammation and effusion based on MRI evaluations were noted for the 3 air-inflated right ears that retained near-ambient pressures when compared with the right 3 ears that developed a flat tympanogram. The MRI measure of effusion quantity within the tympanum was decreased acutely after inflation, but was simultaneously increased in the adjacent airspaces of the temporal bone. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated air inflation prevented the development of otitis media with effusion in 50% of the ears with functional eustachian tube obstruction. Postinflation MRI documented the displacement of fluid by inflation from the tympanum to the mastoid and petrous air cells. Using standard clinical evaluations such as tympanometry and otoscopy, this fluid redistribution can cause a false diagnosis of improvement.     

咽鼓管冠脉球囊扩张联合鼓膜置管治疗复发性分泌性中耳炎

目的观察咽鼓管冠脉球囊扩张联合鼓膜置管治疗复发性分泌性中耳炎的疗效。方法将49例（65耳）复发性分泌性中耳炎患者随机分为A、B、C组,A组为试验组,接受咽鼓管球囊扩张联合鼓膜置管治疗,共16例（22耳）,B和C组是对照组,B组单纯接受咽鼓管球囊扩张治疗,共16例（21耳）,C组单纯接受鼓膜置管治疗,共17例（22耳）。所有球囊扩张器械使用冠状动脉球囊。患者术后1、3、6个月定期随访。术后通过咽鼓管功能障碍7项问卷评分（the seven item eustachian tube dysfunction questionair,ETDQ 7）、咽鼓管评分量表（eustachian tube score,ETS）及声导抗进行疗效评价。结果3组患者术后1、3、6个月咽鼓管功能均有提高。鼓膜愈合后复查,A型鼓室图逐渐增多。A组术后3、6个月ETDQ 7评分均较B组和C组低,对照组C组较B组低。术后3、6个月ETS得分A组均高于B、C组,对照组之间C组较B组高。 结论对于复发性分泌性中耳炎的患者咽鼓管球囊扩张联合鼓膜置管能显著改善患者咽鼓管功能,提高分泌性中耳炎的治疗效果。冠状动脉球囊价格较常规咽鼓管球囊便宜,用于治疗分泌性中耳炎取得了同样好的疗效。     

漂浮导管扩张咽鼓管治疗放疗后分泌性中耳炎

目的：了解鼻咽癌(NPC)放疗后分泌性中耳炎(SOM)咽鼓管功能，以及漂浮导管扩张咽鼓管治疗该病的临床价值。方法：使用咽鼓管功能综合检查仪检测21例(37耳)NPC放疗后SOM患者的咽鼓管功能；在鼻内镜直视下将漂浮导管导入咽鼓管内扩张咽鼓管，治疗NPC放疗后咽鼓管阻塞引起的SOM。结果：21例NPC放疗后SOM中，咽鼓管功能为正常型2耳，阻塞型21耳，闭锁不全型8耳，开放型6耳。漂浮导管扩张咽鼓管治疗NPC放疗后SOM，有效率为43．2％(16／37)。结论：NPC放疗后SOM的咽鼓管功能障碍，多以阻塞型为主，应用漂浮导管扩张咽鼓管是一种有效的治疗方法。     

咽鼓管测压对儿童分泌性中耳炎疗效评估的价值

目的 探讨儿童分泌性中耳炎(otitis media with effusion,OME)治疗前后咽鼓管测压(tubomanometry,TMM)对预测OME预后的价值.方法 66例(98耳)OME患儿(中耳炎组,其中单耳34例,双耳32例)分别在治疗前及正规药物治疗后1月内进行声导抗和TMM测试,记录鼓室导抗图类型及咽鼓管评分(eustachian tube scores,ETS)值,并比较二者之间关系,以单耳患者的正常耳(34耳)作为正常对照组.结果 治疗前,中耳炎组ETS平均值(2.27±1.98分)低于正常对照组(5.14±0.98分)(P＜0.01),鼓室导抗图B型耳的ETS平均值(1.70±1.68分)低于C型耳(3.02±2.11分)(P＜0.01).治疗后中耳炎组ETS平均值(3.62±1.85分)显著高于治疗前(P＜0.05),但治疗后鼓室导抗图B型耳的ETS平均值(3.58±1.69分)与C型耳(3.98±1.45分)差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),B型耳的ETS提高值(1.84±1.7分)高于C型耳(0.72±0.03分)(P＜0.05).无论B型耳还是C型耳,有效组治疗前后ETS平均值及治疗前后ETS差值均高于无效组(P＜0.01).结论 儿童分泌性中耳炎患耳治疗后ETS值提高,咽鼓管功能改善;治疗前鼓室导抗图B型耳的ETS值较C型耳低,治疗后B型耳的ETS提高值高于C型耳;TMM可为临床评估儿童OME预后提供一定参考.     

Patulous eustachian tube following otitis media

Loss of weight, dehydration, pregnancy, fatigue, and otitis media are among the factors proposed as causes of a patulous eustachian tube, but true details remain obscure. We studied patients who developed a patulous eustachian tube following otitis media and discuss the relationship between these 2 conditions. Subjects were 12 patients diagnosed with otitis media at our department who later developed a patulous eustachian tube. The initial middle ear disease progressed from acute otitis media to otitis media with effusion in 2, acute otitis media in or acute mastoiditis in 1 each, and otitis media with effusion in the remaining 8 patients. Seven patients evidenced a low body mass index (BMI), weight loss, and underlying disease, but 5 with a patulous eustachian tube following otitis media did not. We retrospectively analyzed 119 patients diagnosed with a patulous eustachian tube in our department for whether they had been diagnosed by an ENT physician as having otitis media, i.e., acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion. Some 42 (35.3%) had a history of otitis media. At acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion, the tympanic cavity becomes inflamed, accompanied by inflammation of the eustachian tube mucosa and a stenotic tendency. Healing from otitis media is accompanied by decreased eustachian tube mucosa inflammation. We surmise that, depending on how inflammation disappears, fibrosis of the eustachian tube mucosa occurs, leading to a pathologically patulous eustachian tube. Many aspects of the causation of this condition remain unclear, but we surmised that in patients with earlier otitis media, a pathological patulous eustachian tube develops during resolution of inflammation. Our findings indicate the involvement of otitis media as a causative factors in a patulous eustacian tube.