[Evaluation of eustachian tube function with impedance audiometry in chronic suppurative otitis media].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Eustachian tube function with impedance audiometry of the various types, durations and status of chronic suppurative otitis media.


METHODS
The Eustachian tube functions of 368 patients (402 ears) of chronic suppurative otitis media were measured by the manual model of reading meter and regulating air pressure with impedance audiometry. The data were analysed statistically.


RESULTS
The average positive opening pressure of Eustachian tube was (23.5-8.3) daPa in expedite status, (79.8+/-16.2) daPa in mild obstruction, (154.1+/-28.7) daPa in serious obstruction and >200 daPa in entire obstruction. The percentage of detection was 50.5% in expedite status, 26.9% in mild obstruction, 11.9% in serious obstruction and 10.7% in entire obstruction, which in expedite status was much higher than that in various types of Eustachian tube obstruction status. However, the incidence of Eustachian tube opening in the cases with duration of 3 month-1 year was significantly lower than that in the cases with other durations. The opening pressure of Eustachian tube in the cases with large perforation of tense part of tympanic membrane was significantly lower than that in the cases with small perforation of tense part of tympanic membrane and perforation of flaccid part of tympanic membrane. Nevertheless, the incidence of Eustachian tube obstruction in the cases with large perforation of tense part of tympanic membrane was significantly lower than that in the cases with small perforation of tense part of tympanic membrane and perforation of flaccid part of tympanic membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
The Eustachian tube was expedite in about 1/2 of cases with chronic suppurative otitis media, mild obstruction in about 1/4 quarter of cases, and serious obstruction and entire obstruction in about 1/10 of cases respectively. The Eustachian tube function was related to the duration, type and location of tympanic perforation in chronic suppurative otitis media. It is a simple, invasion-free method to evaluate the Eustachian tube function of chronic suppurative otitis media with impedance audiometry.
Xiao
Sheping
S
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Lecong Hospital, Shunde District, Guangdong, 528315. xiaosheping@yahoo.com.cn
Tan
Daizhong
D
Liao
Minqing
M
Yang
Lulin
L
Tu
Xuefeng
X
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult