Treatment of pharyngotympanic tube dysfunction

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018 Apr;45(2):207-214. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.07.001. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

Abstract

Eustachian tube dysfuntion intends to describe a variety of signs, symptoms, and physical findings that result from the impairment of ET function. A large variety of methods have been employed to assess ET function in the literature. Due to the lack of high level evidence, it is difficult to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of medical and surgical treatments. There are various medical and surgical interventions available for chronic obstructive ET dysfunction including balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) and laser or microdebrider tuboplasty. Consensus on diagnostic criteria for ETD is required to define inclusion criteria of future trials. There is however emerging work with reassuring, but preliminary, results that suggest evidence for safety in the surgical management of ETD. Like many newly introduced techniques the current data remains limited to non-controlled case-series, with heterogeneous data collection methods and lacking substantial long-term outcomes. Nevertheless, short-term data provide favorable results. Current treatment options comprising BET and patulous ET surgery may be offered as a treatment possibility to selected patients.

Keywords: Ballon dilation tuboplasty; Eustachian tube dysfunction; Medical management; Patolous Eustachian tube dysfunction; Surgical management; Tubomanometry.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ear Diseases / diagnosis
  • Ear Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Ear Diseases / therapy
  • Eustachian Tube / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy
  • Nasal Decongestants / therapeutic use*
  • Otologic Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures

Substances

  • Nasal Decongestants