Study of the auditory tube by ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m.
The two essential regulating mechanisms of the middle ear pressure are the trans-mucosal gas exchange in the middle ear and the ventilation function of the eustachian tube (ET). The physiological mechanism of these both functions is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the ET pressure equilibrium function by ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m. The rabbit animal model in vivo was used to study the presence and role of the ventilation of the tympanic cavity via auditory tube. The obtained results did not show any ventilation function of the ET despite active opening by muscle movement. In our experience, ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m is not a reliable method to study the auditory tube pressure equilibrium function in physiological conditions.
Timoshenko
Andrei P
AP
Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, Université Jean Monnet, 15 rue Ambroise Paré, 42023, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France. andrei.timochenko@chu-st-etienne.fr
Denis
Christian
C
Dubois
Francis
F
Martin
Christian
C
Prades
Jean-Michel
JM
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000502:physiology; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D000336:Aerosols; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m