title: Can nasal decongestants improve eustachian tube function?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of nasal decongestants on eustachian tube (ET) opening.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective nonrandomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients (44 ears) with intact eardrums, 39 patients (43 ears) having a noninfected eardrum defect, and six patients with an upper airway infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nasal or intratympanal (in perforated ears) application of a nasal decongestant (xylometazoline 0.1%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Change of tube opening quality (yes or no; better or worse) measuring tube opening parameters (pressure, latency) using the Estève method and pressure equalization tests (swallowing at negative and positive external ear canal pressures).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most cases, nasal decongestion or intratympanal use of decongestants have no effect on ET opening. Improvement in tube opening is rather an exception and, in a minority of patients, a reduced ET function was evident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our acute studies revealed no improvement in eustachian ventilatory tube function with the administration of nasal decongestants.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center; †Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology, Department of Material Science and Medical Engineering; and ‡Institute for Biostatistics and Informatics in Medicine and Ageing Research, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ovari
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buhr
authors.forename: Mareike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warkentin
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kundt
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ehrt
authors.forename: Hans-Wilhelm
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Pau
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D014663:Nasal Decongestants; C009695:xylometazoline