Late-phase allergy and eustachian tube dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the role of late-phase allergy in the development of otitis media with effusion.


METHODS
Brown Norway rats were sensitized to ovalbumin and later challenged transtympanically. Eustachian tube ventilatory function was assessed 2, 4, 8, 24, 28, and 32 hours postchallenge by measuring passive opening and closing pressures, active clearance of positive and negative middle ear pressure, and mucociliary clearance.


RESULTS
The results demonstrate that exposure to transtympanic allergen induces eustachian tube dysfunction and subsequent formation of effusion. Allergic animals showed significant increases in passive and active opening pressures, as well as a decreased ability to actively clear middle ear pressure. Finally, the mucociliary was significantly impaired in all sensitized rats exposed to transtympanic allergen.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that late-phase allergy leads to significant eustachian tube dysfunction and subsequent formation of effusion by impairing the ventilatory and clearance functions of the eustachian tube.
Hardy
S M
SM
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7070, USA. hardys@med.unc.edu
Heavner
S B
SB
White
D R
DR
McQueen
C T
CT
Prazma
J
J
Pillsbury
H C
HC
D000818:Animals; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D013997:Time Factors