Efficacy of the Eustachian Tube Function Test Using by Rigid Videoendoscopy.
- Author:
Jae Hwan KWON
1
;
Jae Woon WE
;
Joong Hwan CHO
;
Gi Ho PARK
;
Eui Kyung GOH
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Maryknoll Medical Center, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Endoscopy;
Eustachian tube
- MeSH:
Classification;
Deglutition;
Ear;
Endoscopy;
Eustachian Tube*;
Humans;
Inflation, Economic;
Mastoid;
Mucous Membrane;
Otitis Media;
Pathology
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2007;50(11):983-988
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Since chronic E-tube dysfunction is believed to play an important role in the development of otitis media, it is necessary to evaluate the function of the E-tube clinically. Recently, the endoscopic techniques have been used more frequently to directly inspect the E-tube orifice. In this study, I evaluated the morphologic and dynamic motion of the E-tube orifice with 4 mm 30 degrees videoendoscope and compared with the other existing tests of the E-tube function. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 101 E-tubes with chronic otitis media were selected. I performed the transnasal 4 mm 30 degrees videoendoscopic examination of the pharyngeal E-tube orifice when patients were swallowing, and classified morphologic and dynamic findings of the E-tube orifice into three categories as follows: Type A, the E-tube is opened widely on swallowing with normal mucosa (normal); Type B, the E-tube is not opened with normal mucosa (functional blockage) and Type C, the E-tube is not opened with pathologic mucosa (mechanical blockage). Throughout the study, the control group was 60 E-tubes that were free of ear pathologies. RESULTS: There were more type As in the control group than in the otitis media group according to videoendoscopic findings of the E-tube orifice. The videoendoscopic analysis of the E-tube orifice had a close correlations with the results of inflation deflation test and with the classification of otitis media, but had no significant relationship with the degree of mastoid pneumatization. CONCLUSION: The morphologic and dynamic examination of the E-tube orifice with videoendoscopic techniques may be an important and useful method to examine the tubal function as well as its dysfunction.
