Symposium on prophylaxis and treatment of middle ear effusions.: Iv. Physiology of the eustachian tube in the pathogenesis and management of middle ear effusions

Abstract

Eustachian tube function studies were carried out in patients with concurrent or recent middle ear effusions. Radiographic techniques were employed in assessing tubal response to liquid flow. Studies of air flow and air pressure were carried out using a Madsen bridge, and depended on the presence of either a perforation or a tympanostomy tube.Most of the Eustachian tubes studied showed varying degrees of obstruction or abnormal distensibility or both, often depending on the direction of flow, or on whether pressures were increased or reduced.Quite apart from other factors which may contribute to intrinsic oxextrinsic obstruction of the Eustachian tube, its compliance appears to play an important role in determining its function. In particular, compli. ance appears to be an important factor in the response of the Eustachian tube to increased positive or to negative pressures.Elimination of the causes of both nasal obstruction and abnormal nasopharyngeal secretions may alleviate problems in the function of the Eustachian tube which seem attributable to increased tubal compliance.