A manual of Eustachian tube function tests-illustration of representative test results obtained from healthy subjects and typical disorders with suggestion of the appropriate test method of choice

Ryoukichi Ikeda; Shigeto Ohta; Satoshi Yoshioka; Shiori Endo; Kana Lee; Toshiaki Kikuchi; Haruo Yoshida; Akira Inagaki; Akihiro Kaneko; Hitome Kobayashi; Naohiro Yoshida; Takeshi Oshima; Kunihiro Mizuta; Masahiro Morita; Nobumasa Yamaguchi; Haruo Takahashi; Toshimitsu Kobayashi

doi:10.1016/j.anl.2023.06.005

A manual of Eustachian tube function tests-illustration of representative test results obtained from healthy subjects and typical disorders with suggestion of the appropriate test method of choice

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2024 Feb;51(1):206-213. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2023.06.005. Epub 2023 Jul 5.

Authors

Ryoukichi Ikeda¹, Shigeto Ohta², Satoshi Yoshioka³, Shiori Endo⁴, Kana Lee⁵, Toshiaki Kikuchi⁶, Haruo Yoshida⁷, Akira Inagaki⁸, Akihiro Kaneko⁹, Hitome Kobayashi¹⁰, Naohiro Yoshida¹¹, Takeshi Oshima¹², Kunihiro Mizuta¹³, Masahiro Morita¹⁴, Nobumasa Yamaguchi¹⁵, Haruo Takahashi¹⁶, Toshimitsu Kobayashi¹⁷

Affiliations

¹ Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: ryoukich@hotmail.com.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Hyogo Medical University, Japan.
³ Department of Otolaryngology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan.
⁴ Ear Surgery/Eustachian tube Center, Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital, Japan.
⁵ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinsuma General Hospital, Japan.
⁶ Sendai Station North Gate ENT Clinic, Japan.
⁷ Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center, Japan.
⁸ Toyohashi Day-Surgery Clinic, Japan.
⁹ Kaneko Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, Japan.
¹⁰ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Showa University School of Medicine, Japan.
¹¹ Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Japan.
¹² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Japan.
¹³ Ear Surgery Center, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Japan.
¹⁴ Osaka Ear & Eustachian Tube Clinic, Japan.
¹⁵ Yamaguchi Internal Medicine & ENT Clinic, Japan.
¹⁶ Emeritus Professor of Nagasaki University, Japan.
¹⁷ Sen-En Rifu Otologic Surgery Center, Japan.

PMID: 37419715
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2023.06.005

Abstract

In the 19th century, Politzer devised a method to measure passage of the Eustachian tube (ET) by pressurizing the nasopharyngeal cavity, which marked the beginning of the ET function test. Since then, various examination methods have been developed. While ET function testing is important, recent advancements in diagnostic imaging and treatments have renewed interest on its importance. In Japan, the main objective methods used for examining ET function include tubotympanoaero-dynamic graphy (TTAG), sonotubometry, and the inflation-deflation test. The Japan Otological Society (JOS) Eustachian Tube Committee has proposed a manual of ET function tests, which presents typical patterns of the normal ear and typical diseases and suggests the ET function test of choice for each disease. However, the diagnosis of each disease should be made based on a comprehensive history and various examination findings, with ET function tests playing a supplemental role in the diagnosis.

Keywords: Otitis media; Silicone plug; Sonotubometry; Tympanic membrane.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Eustachian Tube*
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Japan
Nasopharynx
Nigeria