The elusive eustachian tube and its role in chronic otitis media

Maitri Rahul Kaushik, Aishwarya Shukla, Arun Yashwant Dehadaray, Prasun Mishra, Jency Johnson

Indian Journal of Otology 2018 24(1):53-55

Aims: To evaluate ET function using impedance audiometry, to visualise its orifices in the nasopharynx and the protympanum of the middle ear, to correlate the findings seen. Setting and design: Prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital from September 2015 to August 2017. Materials and Methods: In all cases of COM posted for surgery, nasopharyngoscopy was done to visualise the pharyngeal end of the ET. Impedance audiometry was done for assessing physiological function. Intra operative visualisation of the ET opening in the protympanum was done. Findings were correlated. Statistical Analysis Used: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was calculated. Results: On comparison of findings of the pharyngeal orifice of the ET and the ET opening at the protympanum of the middle ear, strong statistical co relation is seen. On comparing mucosal and squamosal COM intra operatively, almost double the cases of obstruction were seen in squamosal type. Conclusion: Nasopharyngoscopy and intra operative findings of patients suffering from COM are important indicators of ETD. Patients of COM with abnormal Eustachian tube opening in the nasopharynx are more likely to have an abnormal opening in the protympanum of the middle ear.

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