[Salpingography of the Eustachian tube]

The AA. through the "transductal retrograde positive pressure" technique visualize the whole course of the tuba, after the injection of a radiopaque substance (lipiodol ultrafluide) in the external ear canal in those cases showing tympanic perforations or in subjects carrying transtympanic ventilatory tubes. The Hirtz incidence is the one recommended. They emphasize the importance of this radiologic study in order to detect either structural or functional changes in the tube, because a great deal of failures in tympanoplasties are due to tubal pathology. Lipiodol is in general well tolerated, apart from those mucous membranes showing an special sensibility. In sialographies its effects are beneficial. The AA. explain the "modus operandi" underlying that till now no accidents are reported. Logically when a salpingography is indicated the morbid middle ear require previous tomographies and T.A.C. records in axial and coronal incidences, in order to discover malformations, dehiscences of the Fallopian canal or in the tegmen tympani, labyrinthine fistulae, etc. The aware otologist can then proceed more judiciously.