title: Balloon dilation of the eustachian tube is indeed a "gizmo" until future research proves safety and efficacy.
abstract: In the April 2014 issue of this journal, Richard M. Rosenfeld, MD, MPH, wrote an editorial in which he recommends distinguishing "fanciful gizmos from truly useful technology," provides 5 criteria to evaluate a gizmo, and includes as one of the current ones balloons to "open clogged ears." The implication is that balloon dilation for suspected eustachian tube dysfunction-middle ear disease is an unproven procedure. Coincidentally, on April 1, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded an Exploratory/Development grant to the University of Pittsburgh to evaluate this new treatment, which affirms that the NIH agrees that this procedure is of uncertain efficacy.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA bluecd@chp.edu.
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Bluestone
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: balloon dilatation; commentary; eustachian tube