Reliability of manometric eustachian tube function tests in children

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Audiology
• Medical Engineering

Background:

• Persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) in children often necessitates ventilation tube insertion.
• Accurate assessment of eustachian tube function is crucial for managing OME and guiding treatment.
• Manometric tests offer a quantitative method to evaluate eustachian tube patency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of manometric eustachian tube function tests in pediatric patients with ventilation tubes.
• To determine the optimal number of measurements for accurate assessment of tubal function.

Main Methods:

• Manometric eustachian tube function tests, including opening pressure (Po) and closing pressure (Pc), were performed repeatedly within a single session.
• Ninety-nine children with ventilation tubes in situ due to persistent OME participated.
• Tests were conducted at secondary and tertiary referral hospitals.

Main Results:

• Analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in both Po and Pc with repeated measurements (p < 0.001).
• The reduction in Po was more pronounced than in Pc upon repeated testing.
• Excellent agreement (99%) was observed between the first and second pressure equilibration tests.

Conclusions:

• The categorized results of the pressure equilibration test demonstrate good reproducibility in children with ventilation tubes.
• The forced-response test showed lower reproducibility and a downward shift with repeated measurements.
• A single measurement or the mean of the first three Po and Pc measurements is adequate for determining tubal function.