The eustachian tube, the otologist’s engima

Update on eustachian tube dysfunction and the patulous eustachian tube.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent knowledge on eustachian tube dysfunction and the patulous eustachian tube. RECENT FINDINGS A clinically useful test for eustachian tube function is still lacking. Narrowing of the isthmus alone was demonstrated to be an insufficient cause of otitis media. Inflammatory mediators identified within the eustachian tube and mi...

Dermoid of the eustachian tube.

Impacted Incus Foreign Body in the Eustachian Tube

Introduction: Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal are fairly common, and tend to be seeds, toys, or insects. However, foreign bodies in the middle ear are rarer, and are generally accidental or iatrogenic. Although there are numerous reports regarding fascinating foreign bodies in the ear, the same cannot be said about foreign bodies in the Eustachian tube (ET).   Case Report: A 20-ye...

Osseous Hamartoma Arising from the Eustachian Tube

A fairly quite rare case of osseous tumor arising from the Eustachian tube (ET) is described. A 56-year-old man presented with a smooth bulky mass in the nasopharynx and secretory otitis media in the right ear. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a solid tumor-like region occupying the nasopharynx with apparent extension to the right ET. Transnasal endoscopic surgery de...

A novel diagnostic tool for chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction—the eustachian tube score.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study was to introduce a new tool for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and as a follow-up tool for eustachian tube therapy using objective and subjective elements. STUDY DESIGN Combined, prospective, retrospective clinical study at a tertiary referral center. METHODS Physical examination, history, tympanometry, ...