[Eustachian tube and its dysfunction related diseases' occurence and treatments]

Summary Eustachian tube is the bone-muscular pipeline of connecting nasopharynx with the middle ear,which plays the role of middle ear pressure regulation,the clearance of foreign bodies and protection.However,Eustachian tube dysfunction is closely related with occurence,development and prognosis of middle ear disease.Since the Eustachian tube is deep in hiding,narrow complex anatomical structures and lack of understanding to its physiological function and so on.For centuries,scientists have tried to use various methods to solve the problem of Eustachian tube dysfunction,but the results were often less than expected.Recently,with the wide application of high resolution CT,endoscopy and other technology,the knowledge of anatomy and physical function on Eustachian tube are becoming increasingly comprehensive.Additionally,some new techniques to treat dysfunction, mainly including laser eustachian tuboplasty and balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty,are also rapidly appeared.Now,these are summarized below.