Effect of inflammation on the ventilatory function of the eustachian tube

Abstract

In an attempt to determine the effect of an upper respiratory tract infection on the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube, 20 children who had recurrent acute or chronic middle ear effusions were studied. Baseline Eustachian tube function testing was obtained when there were no signs or symptoms of upper respiratory infection. These tests were repeated at six‐week intervals and whenever an upper respiratory tract infection supervened. The results of this study were the following: In the absence of an upper respiratory tract infection, the Eustachian tube function tests indicated that all 20 children had a persistent function al obstruction of the Eustachian tube, which was attributed to an inefficient active tubal opening mechanism or increased tubal compliance, or both. During periods of upper respiratory tract infection, Eustachian tube function became worse, which was attributed to intrinsic mechanical obstruction. During the course of the study, middle ear effusion or atelectasis recurred in some of the children, which was not necessarily in association with an upper respiratory tract infection. The basic problem in all of the children was functional obstruction of the Eustachian tube that could result in a middle ear effusion; however, in the absence of an effusion, their poor Eustachian tube function would place them at particularly high risk for developing one, especially during periods of upper respiratory infection. Since management of the functional Eustachian tube obstruction remains obscure at present, therapy should be directed toward alleviating the transient or persistent middle ear negative pressure or the intrinsic mechanical Eustachian tube obstruction when an upper respiratory infection is present Copyright © 1977 The Triological Society