Patulous Eustachian tube (patulous ET) is not a rare disease, for which the prevalence rate is considered to be higher than 5%. Autophonia and ear fullness are common symptoms of patulous ET. Various treatments in cluding drug therapies and surgical procedures are attempted, although they do not give satisfactory results.
In oriental medicine, patulous ET is considered a Qui deficiency and/or blood deficiency. And Kamikihito is known as a popular Kampo prescription for patulous ET. Here we report the effect of hochuekkito on Patulous ET. Hochuekkito was administered to 10 patients, and complete improvement was had in 4 cases, partial im provement in 1 case and 5 cases had no change. Elevated ET tonus, gains in fatty tissue surrounding the ET, and influence on psychogenic factors were speculated as mechanisms by which hochuekkito brought about its effect.
Through this report, we expect that hochuekkito can be an alternative treatment for patulous ET.