Transmucosal Pressure Regulation in the Middle Ear Cavity.

On Pressure Regulation of the Middle Ear

Role of nitrogen in transmucosal gas exchange rate in the rat middle ear.

This study investigates the role of nitrogen (N2) in transmucosal gas exchange of the middle ear (ME). We used an experimental rat model to measure gas volume variations in the ME cavity at constant pressure. We disturbed the steady-state gas composition with either air or N2 to measure resulting changes in volume at ambient pressure. Changes in gas volume over time could be characterized by th...

Deviant facial nerve course in the middle ear cavity.

Anomalous facial nerve (FN) course can be found in a significant number of cases with aural anomalies. The most common anomaly of the FN involves the tympanic portion overlying the oval window.1--3 Facial canal dehiscence of the tympanic portion may be responsible for the anomalous course of FN over the oval window. The incidence of facial canal dehiscence found during otologic surgery is relat...

Oral pseudoephedrine decreases the rate of transmucosal nitrous oxide exchange for the middle ear.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Determine if oral treatment with a vasoconstrictor decreases the blood to middle ear exchange rate of the perfusion-limited gas, nitrous oxide (N2O). STUDY DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, crossover study. METHODS Ten adult subjects with and 10 without past middle ear disease completed paired experimental sessions, identical except for oral treatment with either pseudo...

The comparative anatomy of the pig middle ear cavity: a model for middle ear inflammation in the human?

This study was undertaken to develop a functional model of otitis media with effusion (OME) in the pig (Sus scrofa), with the purpose of investigating the origin of lymphocytes populating the middle ear during the course of an inflammatory process. The relevance of the model to the human condition of OME is to a large extent dependent on the anatomical and physiological similarities between the...