[Animal experiment concerning the relationship between tubal function and nasal resistance]

In an animal experiment involving Rhesus monkeys the relationship between the rhinomanometrical findings and the results of Eustachian tube tests was investigated. Nasal challenges were performed with histamine and Substance P in order to create an edema of the nasal mucosa. We studied the nasal resistance and tubal function parameters with the help of computer-assisted techniques of pressure and flow measurement. It was the aim of the study to investigate if an edema of the Eustachian tube, demonstrated by an increase of the nasal resistance, has an influence on the tubal function. It was noted that an increase of the nasal resistance influenced some parameters of Eustachian tube function. Especially the steady state pressure and the closing pressure increased with increasing nasal resistance. These experiments illustrate the correlation between edema of the nasal mucosa and the function of the Eustachian tube.