Diseases of the Eustachian Tube

Question 1

What are the most common causes of eustachian tube dysfunction?

Answer 1

URI or allergies
(Most common causes are diseases associated with edema of the tubal lining (allergies, viral URIs))

Question 2

Tube does not open with yawning/swallowing

Air trapped within the middle ear becomes absorbed and negative pressure results

May present with intra-aural fullness, ears crackle/pop with swallowing or yawning, +/- mild decrease in hearing, discomfort with barometric changes

Answer 2

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Question 3

Overly patent eustachian tube

Answer 3

patulous eustachian tube

Question 4

Patulous eustachian tube typically presents with what?

Answer 4

autophony

Question 5

What are some complications of eustachian tube dysfunction?

Answer 5

Air is reabsorbed in middle ear, creates a negative pressure (vacuum)

Acute SOM

Chronic serous otitis (glue ear)

cholesteatoma

Question 6

Blocked eustachian tube

Negative pressure resulting in transudation of fluid

Common in children

Commonly follows URI

Hearing loss

“blocked” or “plugged” feeling

Answer 6

Serous Otitis Media

Question 7

Chronic or unilateral SOM/OME in adult should raise suspicious for what?

Answer 7

nasopharyngeal tumor

Question 8

Unable to equalize barometric stress exerted on middle ear during
air travel/diving

Often secondary to flying and scuba diving

Poor eustachian tube function

Answer 8

Barotrauma

Question 9

What are some complications of barotrauma when a patient tries to equalize?

Answer 9

hemotympanum or perilymphatic fistula

Question 10

What is the most frequent compliant in barotrauma?

Answer 10

Ear pressure

Question 11

In a case of barotrauma, when should a patient be referred to ENT?

Answer 11

if associated with dizziness (vertigo) and/or SNHL