OBJECTIVESSonotubometry is wildly used in developed countries, offers a easy, versatile and objective way to assess the function of Eustachian tube. The objectives of this study are to develop a low-cost digitalized device.

METHODSThe digitalized sonotubometry device was made of a personal computer with sound input and output accessories. The PC sound card, connected to a signal amplifier, exported probe band noise, while feedback sound was collected by a microphone. All 36 volunteers (72 ears) were involved in the sonotubometry test with JK-04A and CHN-08, in the conditions of dry-swallowing and wet-swallowing. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSThe basic electroacoustic performance of the CHN-08 was acceptable. CHN-08 (7 kHz) detection and JK-04A consistency of kappa index was 0.472; CHN-08 (8 kHz) and JK-04A consistency of kappa index was 0.487; CHN-08 (7 kHz) and CHN-08 (8 kHz) consistency of kappa index was 0.688.Under the JK-04A, CHN-08 (7 kHz) and CHN-08 (8 kHz) three setups, Eustachian tube opening frequency was significantly lower for wet-swallowing than dry-swallowing, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSA low-cost digitalized sonotubometry is successfully developed. Its electroacoustic performance proved acceptable by authority assessments. The detection rate of CHN-08 is in accordance with that of JK-04A moderately. The study revealed that Eustachian tube is opened more easily by dry-swallowing than by wet-swallowing.

Acoustic Impedance Tests ; Audiometry ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Eustachian Tube ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Man-Machine Systems

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of two different approaches in curettage of adenoid hypertrophy on eustachian tube function: the endoscopic assisted transoral adenoidectomy, and the traditional transoral curette adenoidectomy. METHOD: Clinical data of adenoid hypertrophy patients who underwent surgery therapy were prospectively analyzed; Eustachian tube function were compared among them. RESULT: Both traditional curettage of adenoids through mouth(group TCA) and endoscopic assisted transoral adenoidectomy (group ETA) significantly improved eustachian tube function (P < 0.01), while group ETA seemed to have a better outcomes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Both traditional curettage of adenoids through mouth and the endoscopic assisted transoral adenoidectomy can significantly improve eustachian tube function, and the endoscopic assisted transoral adenoidectomy produces a better outcome.
Adenoidectomy ; methods ; Adenoids ; pathology ; Aged ; Curettage ; methods ; Eustachian Tube ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; surgery

This paper presents to you the principles, composition, features and applications of ET-100 measuring-training device for eustachian tube opening function.
Computers ; Deglutition ; physiology ; Equipment Design ; Eustachian Tube ; physiology ; Humans ; Otolaryngology ; instrumentation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software ; Sound

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and validity of tubo-tymanoaerodynamicgraphy (TTAG) determinating the Eustachian tube function of health adult group. METHOD: The ventilation function of Eustachian tube was measured by the TTAG method in health adult group (132 ears), the results and the graphs were also analyzed. RESULT: The positive rate in health adult group using Valsalva method was 93.93% (124/132). The positive ears were divided into type I and type II, the mean value of nasopharynx press of type I and II has no significant differences (P>0.05), but the mean value of external auditory canal press had significant differences (P<0.01). CONCLUSION TTAG method has the clinical value in determinating the states of Eustachian tube function of health group.
Acoustic Impedance Tests ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ear Canal ; physiology ; Eustachian Tube ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

We report the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to the diagnosis and evaluation of otitis media (OM). Whereas conventional diagnostic modalities for OM, including standard and pneumatic otoscopy, are limited to visualizing the surface of the tympanic membrane (TM), OCT effectively reveals the depth-resolved microstructure below the TM with very high spatial resolution, with the potential advantage of its use for diagnosing different types of OM. We examined the use of 840-nm spectral domain-OCT (SD-OCT) clinically, using normal ears and ears with the adhesive and effusion types of OM. Specific features were identified in two-dimensional OCT images of abnormal TMs, compared to images of healthy TMs. Analysis of the A-scan (axial depth scan) identified unique patterns of constituents within the effusions. The OCT images could not only be used to construct a database for the diagnosis and classification of OM but OCT might also represent an upgrade over current otoscopy techniques.
Adult ; Ear Canal/anatomy & histology ; Eustachian Tube/physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media/classification/*diagnosis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/instrumentation/*methods ; Tympanic Membrane/*physiology

We report the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to the diagnosis and evaluation of otitis media (OM). Whereas conventional diagnostic modalities for OM, including standard and pneumatic otoscopy, are limited to visualizing the surface of the tympanic membrane (TM), OCT effectively reveals the depth-resolved microstructure below the TM with very high spatial resolution, with the potential advantage of its use for diagnosing different types of OM. We examined the use of 840-nm spectral domain-OCT (SD-OCT) clinically, using normal ears and ears with the adhesive and effusion types of OM. Specific features were identified in two-dimensional OCT images of abnormal TMs, compared to images of healthy TMs. Analysis of the A-scan (axial depth scan) identified unique patterns of constituents within the effusions. The OCT images could not only be used to construct a database for the diagnosis and classification of OM but OCT might also represent an upgrade over current otoscopy techniques.
Adult ; Ear Canal/anatomy & histology ; Eustachian Tube/physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media/classification/*diagnosis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/instrumentation/*methods ; Tympanic Membrane/*physiology

In order to describe the developmental anatomy of the murine eustachian tube and its related structures, seventy six mice of ages ranging from gestational day 11 to postnatal day 21 were investigated through the light and electron microscopic observations. Development of the ciliated cells was seen concurrently in both the eustachian tube and middle ear on the 16 th gestation day, one day earlier than the epithelial secretory cells appeared in both the eustachian tube and middle ear. The number of ciliated cells and secretory cells increased rapidly after birth. Tubal glands were well identified with evidence of secretory activity around the time of birth. Thus, the findings of this study indicate that the mucociliary defense system starts to develop during the fetal stage and is well established immediately after birth.
Animal ; Animals, Newborn ; Cilia/physiology/ultrastructure ; Epithelium/ultrastructure ; Eustachian Tube/*cytology/embryology/ultrastructure ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mucous Membrane/physiology/ultrastructure ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Detailed information on how an epithelial differentiation and elastic structures occurred in the developing eustachian tube would be helpful in understanding both normal physiology and pathology of the tubotympanum. This study was undertaken to establish elastic structures such as cartilage, elastic fiber, and collagen fiber in the embryonic mouse eustachian tube at a stage when epithelial differentiation is taking place. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty four mice (BALB/c mouse), aged from gestational day 11 to postnatal day 21, were investigated using Verhoeff stain, Masson trichrome stain and alpha-1 antitrypsin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The cartilage-like structures were first found after birth, however, matured cartilages appeared at postnatal day 7. The elastic fibers and collagen fibers surrounding cartilage were abundantly found about 5 days after birth. alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is an strong inhibitor of elastase, began to be immunolabelled at gestational day 16. Its expression has been significantly increased after birth. CONCLUSION: Although the epithelial differentiation and maturation in eustachian tube occured at late embryonal stage, the elastic structures have developed and matured after birth. These findings might be a explanation to why young children are highly susceptible to otitis media.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Child ; Collagen ; Elastic Cartilage ; Elastic Tissue ; Elasticity ; Eustachian Tube* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Otitis Media ; Pancreatic Elastase ; Parturition ; Pathology ; Physiology