[Exploration of eustachian tube permeability by salpingomanometry]

In order to appreciate the permeability of the Eustachian tube the authors measure the rhino-pharyngal pressure necessary to induce the opening of the tube. This opening is obtained by Valsalva method or by a deglutition associated to an overpressure. The measures are realized on divers, the majority of them never suffered before from any barotraumatic trouble. The modifications of pressure produced in the middle ear during the tubal opening are demonstrated by recording the correspondant variations of the tympano-ossicular compliance. By performing the Valsalva, we have better results than those obtained by actively clearing of the ears associated to a rhino-pharyngal overpressure. The method is of easy and quick apply. We consider as normal the levels of the forcing pressure ranging below 90 cm H2O.