title: Eustachian tube closing failure in children with persistent middle ear effusion.
abstract: One important role of the Eustachian tube is to protect the middle ear from the extensive physiological pressure variations that take place in the nasopharynx, for example on sniffing. In a previous investigation in 50 children with persistent middle ear effusion a surprisingly high percentage of ears were evacuated by sniffing. The present study was undertaken in a second series of children, and results were found to be reproducible. In total 156 ears in 100 children have been investigated. In 63% of ears (73% of subjects) evacuation of the middle ear took place on sniffing. Results show that Eustachian tube malfunction in these subjects is characterized by a reduced protective function; a condition denoted "Eustachian tube closing failure".
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration