At the present time, the function of the TTM remains unknown. One of the main hypotheses accredited in the literature interprets the TTM, together with the Tensor Veli Palatini (TVP), as part of the same anatomic unit [1]. There is an evident phylogenetic connection with respect to the innervation, irrigation and formation of the structures of the throat and ear, including the Eustachian tube. ...

OME is similar to other chronic inflammatory diseases with the additional fact that ventilation of the middle ear is an extremely important and necessary part of therapy. Antimicrobial therapy alone may not cure middle ear inflammatory disease as long as Eustachian tube dysfunction persists. If Eustachian tube dysfunction and middle ear fluid persists, all forms of immunologic reactivity may oc...

Craniofacial defects that occur through gene mutation during development increase vulnerability to eustachian tube dysfunction. These defects can lead to an increased incidence of otitis media. We examined the effects of a mutation in the Sh3pxd2b gene (Sh3pxd2b(nee)) on the progression of otitis media and hearing impairment at various developmental stages. We found that all mice that had the S...

INTRODUCTION As the first ear, nose and throat department in Denmark, we introduced balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube as a treatment of obstructive dysfunction in the summer of 2012. We present our preliminary experiences with this new treatment in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS Preoperatively, several different tests were performed including otomicroscopy, audiometry, tympanometry and ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the air deflation pressure of the eustachian tubes in patients with tympanic membrane perforations due to various forms of otitis media and those with myringotomy or blast injury perforations. METHODS: The study group consisted of 321 patients (407 ears) aged 4 months to 91 years with tympanic membrane perforations due to otitis media (318 ears), blast injury (27), and myr...

Objective. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) as a treatment modality for Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We followed the PRISMA guideline and registered with PROSPERO No. CRD42014009461. Data Sources. We searched 12 databases including PubMed and Embase from January 1, 2010, to April 7, 2014, for studies of BET. Endpoints: change in ...

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by the occurrence of fluid in the middle-ear cavity in the absence of any signs of acute ear infection and occurs most frequently in children with auditory or eustachian tube dysfunction. Its chronic form is an important clinical issue for pediatricians and otologists alike. The study by Depreux et al. in this issue of the JCI shows that absence...

Background: We are taught that cholesteatoma occurs due to tympanic membrane retraction that is usually secondary to eustachian tube dysfunction. Many children with poor eustachian tube dysfunction get tubes, which has been described as an independent cause of cholesteatoma. Objective: To describe the risk factors for cholesteatoma in children with tympanostomy types. Design: Retrospective revi...