The Variability of function of the Eustachian tube in patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> The Eustachian tube is a complex and inaccessible structure, which is responsible for the ventilation of the middle ear.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was the assessment of an impact of chronic sinusitis on the auditory tube function.</br></br> <b>Methods:</b> The prospective analysis of 84 surgically treated chronic sinusitis patients was carried out. This study is based on preoperative results of impedance audiometry in correlation with the data from the medical history of chronic sinusitis, symptoms reported by the patients, results of Computed Tomography (CT), and the stage of inflammatory changes according to Lund and Mackay score.</br></br> <b>Results:</b> The significant majority of patients in our study (65) had advanced auditory tube symptoms, while 4 patients suffered from symptoms significantly impacting daily functioning. In patients with chronic sinusitis the analysis demonstrated that tympanometry type B (12.67) and C (12.4) occured with significantly higher Lund-Mackay score than type A (9.2). In allergy sufferers type B of tympanometry was more often observed with characteristically bilaterally located inflammatory changes in maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses.</br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The profile of chronic sinusitis patient in whom Eustachian tube dysfunction is more often observed, is as follows:</br></br> • Lund and Mackay score above 12;</br></br> • pathological changes are bilaterally observed in maxillary and anterior ethmoid sinuses;</br></br> • decrease of nasal patency and postnasal drip;</br></br> •allergy;</br></br> •overusing alcohol and cigarettes, at least alcohol;</br></br> • worse result of Lund and Mackay score and the age of patients – 2 factors favoring the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.