Eustachian tube function in adults with intact tympanic membrane

The Eustachian tube has the function of equilibrating the environmental pressure with inner pressure, protecting the middle ear from abrupt pressure changes. Aim: To compare the Eustachian tube function in adults with and without history of otitis media and/or respiratory tract inflammation without...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology 2010-05, Vol.76 (3), p.340-346
Main Authors: Makibara, Renata Rumy, Fukunaga, Jackeline Yumi, Gil, Daniela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic Impedance Tests
Adolescent
Adult
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
eustachian tube
Eustachian Tube - physiopathology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Original
Otitis Media - complications
Otitis Media - physiopathology
Prospective Studies
Rhinitis - complications
Rhinitis - physiopathology
Sinusitis - complications
Sinusitis - physiopathology
tympanic membrane
Tympanic Membrane - anatomy & histology
Tympanic Membrane - physiology
valsalva maneuver
Young Adult
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Summary:The Eustachian tube has the function of equilibrating the environmental pressure with inner pressure, protecting the middle ear from abrupt pressure changes. Aim: To compare the Eustachian tube function in adults with and without history of otitis media and/or respiratory tract inflammation without tympanic membrane perforation. Materials and Methods: The Eustachian tube function was evaluated in forty-two females and males of 18 to 55 years of age with intact tympanic membrane, tympanometric A curves and without historic of otological surgery. The patients (study group with past otological disease) were matched by a control group. The data was analyzed to compare the Eustachian tube function in both groups. Results: In the study group, 21.4% of the persons presented dysfunction of the tube against 0% in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference considering the affected ear. We observed a higher percentage of men (90.9%) with normal functioning Eustachian tube in relation to women (65%). Conclusion: Middle ear infections, rhinitis and/or sinusitis influenced the Eustachian tube functioning. Therefore it is important to test its function in such individuals. Other studies are important to establish a standard of normality in each condition of the test and for a better understanding of these people's complaints.
ISSN:1808-8694
1808-8686
1808-8686
DOI:10.1590/S1808-86942010000300012