View clinical trials related to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
Filter by:The Eustachian tube (ET) connects the middle ear with the throat and is important for maintaining a healthy middle ear. Sonotubometry is a new method to measure how well the ET works by using sound. A speaker is placed at the nostril and a microphone records sound in the external ear canal. The ET is closed at rest and opens with swallowing. This is measured as an increase in sound measured in the external ear by sonotubometry. Previous research has not proven that sonotubometry is reliable enough to be used in clinics to assess ET dysfunction (a disease where the ET does not open properly). In a recent study with healthy volunteers, it was possible to identify many of the existing issues of sonotubometry and improve the reliability of this method. This was primarily achieved by testing different sound types and sound volumes. This study aims to assess the reliability and usability of the new testing protocol in study participants with ET dysfunction. The results of this study will then be compared with the results from the previous study with healthy volunteers to work out how well sonotubometry works. Ultimately, this research aims to improve the ability to diagnose ET dysfunction.
This study is being conducted to learn more about a procedure, balloon dilation of the eustachian tube, in treating patients with eustachian tube dysfunction. Traditionally, eustachian tube dysfunction is treated with nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, or by placement of ear tubes. However, current evidence suggest that medical options are ineffective, and placement of ear tubes is not risk-free. The investigators are carrying out this research study with the following goals: 1. Determine if balloon dilation of the eustachian tube is superior to a placebo procedure in treating patients with eustachian tube dilatory dysfunction 2. Identify patient variables associated with positive response to balloon dilation of the eustachian tube 3. Re-demonstrate the safety of balloon dilation of the eustachian tube What does participation in this study involve? Participants in this study will: - Agree to be randomly assigned to undergo either: balloon dilation of the eustachian tube, or a placebo procedure, with the option to undergo dilation of the eustachian tube 6 weeks later - Agree to allowing the investigators access to their personal health information - Complete the following assessments and questionnaires in clinic before undergoing balloon dilation or placebo procedure: - A questionnaire to assess your eustachian tube dysfunction - An assessment of the movement of your ear drum (tympanogram) - A hearing test (audiogram) - A questionnaire to assess the impact of eustachian tube dysfunction on work/activity - A questionnaire to assess overall health-related quality of life - An assessment of the ability to equalize middle ear pressure(s) - Visual examination of the ear drums - Repeat the above assessments and questionnaires over the course of four follow-up appointments at 6-, 12-, 24-, and 52-weeks after the procedure.
This study aims to evaluate and screen out the factors related to the improvement of eustachian tube function after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy, so as to guide the treatment of children's eustachian tube function before and after operation, and provide the treatment direction and methods for diseases related to eustachian tube dysfunction for people with adenoid hypertrophy and/or tonsil hypertrophy complicated with ETD.
Intranasal nasal steroid sprays are the mainstay of treatment for chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction despite having little supportive evidence in the literature. A novel, commercially available nasal spray delivery system is available now for fluticasone that improves its delivery to the nasopharynx. The hypothesis of this study is that fluticasone using the novel spray system is effective for Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
Background: The Eustachian Tube (ET) is a mucosa-lined connection between the nasopharynx and the middle ear cavity. It is believed to have three functions: 1) ventilation of and pressure equalization in the middle ear cavity, 2) mucus drainage from the middle ear, and 3) protection against sound and infection from the nasopharynx1. In adults, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) can cause complaints from one or both ears. For many years, various definitions of ETD have been used, impairing the opportunity to compare studies. However, in 2015, an international consensus on definition, types, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of ETD was published by Schilder et al2, which has been adopted by all the Scandinavian countries. The symptoms include pressure (fullness), and/or pain in the ear, muffled hearing, and overall discomfort. Furthermore, chronic ETD can result in tympanic membrane retraction, atelectasis of the middle ear cavity, and ultimately formation of cholesteatoma3. Unfortunately, the symptoms of ETD are multiple and inaccurate giving rise to varying estimates of the prevalence. As an example, a study in UK found a 0.9 % prevalence of ETD4. In addition, clear guidelines on diagnostics and treatment are not currently available due to the fact, that no objective test for detection of ETD exists. In the need of a symptom scoring system, the patient reported Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) has been developed and validated in English5. Yet, translation into other languages as well as validation in other settings are necessary in order to substantiate the applicability of ETDQ-7. ETD is associated with a lack of opening of ET. It is believed that the length, diameter and angle of ET influences its ability to open regularly, thus affecting its function. A short, narrow and angled ET may predispose to ETD. However, the imaging available to visualize ET are not accurate enough to diagnose ETD. A direct test of the function of ET is not available. Tubomanometry is a relatively new method developed to directly test the opening of ET, but is yet to be validated6. Both non-surgical and surgical treatment options to improve the function of the Eustachian Tube are available. Non-surgical management includes pressure equalization methods (e.g. the Valsalva maneuver), antihistamines, treatment with decongestants, and nasal douching with a saline solution. Surgically, ventilation tubes are often used to treat ETD. In case of adenoid hypertrophy obstructing the pharyngeal opening of ET, adenoidectomy is recommended. Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) was introduced in 2010 by Ockermann et al7. BET is a non-invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted either endonasally or transtympanic into ET, and a balloon is inflated with water for approximately two minutes. Various heterogeneous studies have shown a short-term effect of BET, but long-term effects are unclear8. In summary, despite the assumption of being a common condition, the field of ETD suffers from lack of precise definition, diagnostic criteria, identification of underlying causes as well as purposeful treatment, and prognostic factors. Especially, long-term effects of BET need further investigation. Therefore, in an effort to fill out the gap of knowledge about ETD, the following specific aims are proposed:
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and middle ear barotrauma (MEB) are common reported complications during hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The Phase I study data was the first to demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of symptomatic ETD and middle ear barotrauma (MEB). The Phase I Trial suggested the total time interval and rate (slope) of compression (ROC) may be a determining factor in ETD and MEB. This Phase II study investigates an optimal total time interval and rate of compression to reduce ETD and MEB when considering each multiplace treatment (with multiple patients) as the unit of observation collectively as a group, rather than for each individual patient. Data will be collected prospectively on group patient-treatment exposures. Our investigators randomly assign patient-treatment group exposures to two different rates (slopes) of compression. These are limited to the linear versus the non-linear rates (slopes) of compression identical to two of four compression profiles used in the Phase I and Phase II trials. All patients experiencing symptoms of ETD and MEB requiring compression stops will be evaluated post treatment to confirm the presence of ETD and MEB using the O'Neill Grading System (OGS). Data will be analyzed using the IBM-SPSS statistical software program. The number of compression holds observed in each of the compression schedules/compression profiles using an identical 15-minute total time interval of compression but varying in the rate (slope) of compression will be recorded as in the Phase I and II studies. Symptomatic patients who required compression stops (as in the Phase I trial) using a USN TT 9 during elective hyperbaric oxygen treatments in a Class A multiplace hyperbaric chamber will be compared. Statistical analysis using descriptive and Inferential statistics will be applied to the patients requiring first stops in the compression profiles. This will be used to further evaluate the data restricted to the rate of compression (linear vs. non-linear) and whether this is associated with the number of compression holds. The 15-minute total time interval of compression will be identical in both compression profiles studied since this was found to be the total time interval of compression with the least number of treatment stops/holds in the phase I and phase II studies.
This study is a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical study. The balloon sinuplasty treatment is compared to placebo effect in chronic or recurrent maxillary sinusitis. The purpose is to find out the efficacy of balloon sinuplasty of maxillary sinuses and the patients who get the best benefit from balloon sinuplasty. The investigators also want to find out if balloon sinuplasty of maxillary sinuses improves Eustachian tube dysfunction. The study is executed in the Department of Ear and Oral Diseases, Tampere University Hospital. 120 patients who have either recurrent acute or chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis and whose sinusitis is limited mainly into maxillary sinuses, are recruited in the study. The patients are allocated either into the chronic maxillary sinusitis (60 patients) or the recurrent maxillary sinusitis (60 patients) branch of the study. Then, the patients are consecutively randomized into two treatment groups in the proportion of 1 to 1: A) Balloon sinuplasty group and B) Placebo group. The treatment is performed according to the patient's group status and all the patients are followed 12 months postoperatively. The effect of balloon sinuplasty treatment in chronic maxillary rhinosinusitis is going to be measured primarily with the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). In recurrent acute maxillary rhinosinusitis, the effect of balloon sinuplasty treatment will be measured primarily with the number of acute rhinosinusitis infections. Besides this, number of antibiotic treatments and sick leaves are inquired, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) are used, rhinomanometry, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), tympanometry, tubomanometry, nasal endoscopy and general evaluation of the patients clinical ORL-status are performed. Also pre- and postoperative biopsies are taken from the middle turbinates.
This study aims to test the safety, efficacy and potential mechanism of action of the SinuSonic device on adults with eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) or facial pain/pressure. SinuSonic is a medical device that utilizes sound and pressure combined with normal breathing. The study will have 3 aims. Aim 1 will examine healthy controls with no signs of upper respiratory infection, inflammation, or ETD to determine if exhaled nasal Nitric Oxide is increased. Nitric Oxide is a compound in the body that acts as a blood vessel relaxant. Acoustic energy (humming) has been shown to increase nasal Nitric Oxide dramatically, thus equalization of gas pressures between the middle ear, the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity may very well explain any efficacy noted. Aim 2 will be performed to examine therapeutic efficacy for ETD. Aim 3 will be performed to examine therapeutic efficacy for sinus pain/pressure.
The regular opening of the eustachian tube plays an important role in maintaining normal pressure in middle ear cavity, hearing function and preventing the occurrence of middle ear inflammation. The current evaluation of Eustachian tube function mainly depends on the patient's history of auricular distention, occlusion, physical examination (Valsalva), acoustic impedance test. However, these tests can not accurately assess the eustachian tube function, the lack of quantitative analysis of eustachian tube function. Currently, surgical treatment of patients with chronic otitis media is one of the most important treatment methods. However, the current results show that some patients can not reconstruct the gas-containing structure of the middle ear after operation, which brings about the treatment of diseases and the recovery of auditory function Difficulties. Although domestic and foreign scholars believe that eustachian tube function in tympanoplasty in the reconstruction of the middle ear with air cavity plays an important role, but due to the lack of a reliable quantitative evaluation of eustachian tube function, eustachian tube function in the occurrence of chronic otitis media , There is a lack of reliable evidence-based medicine in the assessment of the value of development and prognosis. In recent years, a new eustachian tube function evaluation method - Eustachian tube manometry technique, began a quantitative objective assessment of Eustachian tube function, combined with physical examination and subjective symptom scales to conduct a comprehensive assessment of eustachian tube function . This study wants to evaluate the eustachian tube function preoperatively and postoperatively in patients with chronic otitis media who underwent surgery. Regular postoperative follow-ups were used to understand the importance of eustachian tube function in the prognosis of chronic otitis media surgery , In order to further improve the eustachian tube function and improve the surgical curative effect of chronic otitis media.