[Analysis of the relations between Toynbee phenomenon and middle ear pressure]

This paper studied the relations between the middle ear pressure, the opening duration of eustachian tube (ET), and the duration of nasopharyngeal pressure phase during Toynbee maneuver by sonotubometry, tympanometry and nasopharynx manometry. The mucociliary clearance of ET in Toynbee maneuver was also studied by Saccharin method. The results showed that negative middle ear pressure induced by Toynbee maneuver was related to prolonged opening duration of ET and duration of negative pressure in nasopharynx and lower opening pressure of ET. This phenomenon was often shown on the patients with nasal obstruction, and reduced ET mucociliary clearance. The Toynbee phenomenon indicates a closing failure of the ET, clinically, this situation needs to be prevented and resolved in a timely manner.