title: Inflation-deflation test as a predictor of aditus patency in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess eustachian tubal function (ETF) preoperatively in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with central perforation by performing the inflation-deflation test. To correlate the results of the inflation-deflation test with the finding of aditus patency or block in patients with CSOM  STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cohort
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care hospital
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty adult patients with chronic suppurative otitis media and central perforation were recruited into the study. There were 45 males and 35 females.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent preoperative inflation-deflation test followed by cortical mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. The patency of the aditus was assessed intraoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Equalization of pressure on inflation-deflation test and intraoperative assessment of aditus patency
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total of 80 patients, 49 patients were found to have discharging ears and 31 had dry ears at the time of surgery. In dry ears the inflation-deflation test had a sensitivity of 93% in predicting aditus patency although the specificity was lower at 67%. In discharging ears the sensitivity in predicting aditus patency was 72% and the specificity was 67%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eustachian tube inflation-deflation test is a sensitive test for predicting aditus patency in patients with dry ears but less so in patients with discharging ears. Hence, it could be used in the former to avoid unnecessary exploration of the mastoid.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Speech & Hearing, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: Regi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kurien
authors.forename: Shipra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chrisolyte
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rupa
keywords: Aditus patency; Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM); Eustachian tube inflation-deflation test