Learning Objectives: Most testing methods for evaluation of the Eustachian tube function are subjective and non-specific, likewise objective methods are insufficiently standardised and they poorly correlate with the clinical picture or are non physiological, therefore employed only under certain pathological conditions. Among the many studies, there is no ‘golden standard’ which could be widely used and serve as a benchmark to all.
The aim of the study: To examine the relationship between ET function and chronic middle ear diseases by applying sonotubometry with perfect sequences (PSEQ).
Methods: In order to objectively assess ET function, PSEQ-based sonotubometry results were assessed in healthy persons and in patients with ET dysfucntion. All subjects were performed comprehensive examination which included collection of anamnestic data, otoscopy, rhinoscopy, tympanometry, Valsava test and sonotubometry using PSEQ stimuli, nasal and nasopharyngeal videoendoscopy.
Results: The testing was conducted on 43 OME aptients (28 females (65,1%) and 15 males (34,9%)) and 39 healthy individuals (21 females (53,8%) and 18 males (46,2%)). The openings were not detected for 43,9 % of the OME patients and for 6,4 % of healthy individuals (p < 0,001). The mean ET opening duration in OME patients was 261 ± 147 ms, the mean sound wave amplitude 7,41 ± 4,77 dB , for healthy- 274 ± 153 ms and 12,26 ± 5,40 dB.
Conclusions: Average of the wave sound amplitude was shorter comparing to healthy individuals(p < 0,001). Factors, statistically significantly related with not detected openings using sonotubometry were severe hypertrophy of inferior turbinate's, B type tympanogram and the character of the tympanic membrane retraction. More frequent ET dysfunction was found for the patients with retraction of pars tensa of tympanic membrane (0,038).
