Therapeutic improvement of Eustachian tube function: a review.
An impaired Eustachian tube is assumed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of different middle ear diseases. Therefore, several investigators have studied different treatment strategies to improve Eustachian tube function. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the results of these studies on improvement of tubal function. The English language literature was searched systematically to identify all articles that described the effect of different interventions on Eustachian tube function. Although the results were not uniform throughout the different studies and despite several restrictions of the reviewed studies, the results of this review indicate that the function may be improved by medical intervention. However, it seems premature to recommend any of the interventions reviewed in this paper to improve function in humans. More studies, preferably randomized, placebo-controlled trials, should be conducted to assess the efficacy of different interventions.
van Heerbeek
Niels
N
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Centre St. Radboud, Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. N.vanHeerbeek@kno.azn.nl
Ingels
K J A O
KJ
Rijkers
G T
GT
Zielhuis
G A
GA
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015575:Roxithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D015575:Roxithromycin