E tube dysfunction represents one of the most frequent otic pathologies, being the starting point for almost all the acute or chronic otic inflammatory processes and their consequences. Tubal dysfunction and otitis media with effusion are the most frequent pathologies within the pediatric population. During their first seven years of life almost 70% of children present at least one episode of E...

OBJECTIVE It is known that eustachian tubal compliance has influence on the tubal function. We applied the direct measurement method to ascertain whether or not aging and tubal diseases are related to the compliance of the cartilaginous part of the eustachian tube. METHODS We developed a method for directly measuring tubal compliance by inserting a balloon catheter, which is inflated with wat...

The hypoxia-inducible factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (HIF-VEGF) pathway in hypoxic conditions of the middle ear due to dysfunction of the eustachian tube is still unknown, but it is considered as one pathogenetic mechanism in otitis media. This study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of the HIF-VEFG pathway in otitis media with effusion induced by dysfunction o...

Ménière's diseasenot only includes the symptom complex consisting of attacks of vertigo, low-frequency hearing loss, and tinnitus but comprises symptoms related to the eustachian tube, the upper cervical spine, the temporomandibular joints, and the autonomic nervous system. Quantifiable experience shows that the insertion of a middle-ear ventilation tube can alleviate Ménière's disease symptoms...

The presence of surfactant proteins was investigated in the human organ of Corti, Eustachian tube and kidney tissues. It has previously been shown that lamellar bodies are present in hairy cells of organ of Corti, in the cytoplasm of secretory and lumen of tubal glands of Eustachian tube and kidney renal basement membrane. No evidence for the presence of surfactant proteins in the organ of Cort...