Presentation and eustachian tube function test results in children evaluated at a specialty clinic

Interest in eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction (ETD) has increased with the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of a new device for balloon dilation of the ET (BDET) in adults. However, children have been receiving BDET treatment with ET-specific or sinus balloons around the world and off-label in the United States for years. It is important, therefore, to understand the manifestations of and methods to verify ETD in children.

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

This is a retrospective study of clinical presentations and results of ET function (ETF) tests in children referred to the ETD clinic. An otorhinolaryngology exam, nasopharyngeal videoendoscopy of the ET orifices during swallow and maneuvers, and ETF tests, including inflation deflation, forced response test, and pressure chamber tests, were performed as applicable.

Data for 30 children aged 6.2 to 17.3 years (mean = 12.9 ± 2.8 years) were analyzed. Of 60 ears, 19 (31.7%) had an intact tympanic membrane (TM), 16 (26.7%) had a patent and two had a blocked ventilation tube, and 23 (38.3%) had a TM perforation. Endoscopy of the nasopharynx revealed a large amount of secretions in 19/45 (42.2%); ET orifices and mucosal inflammation in 22/45 (48.8%); a large amount of adenoid tissue in the fossa of Rosenmuller was noted in 21/45 (46.7%). ETF tests revealed abnormal active function in 43/54 ears (79.6%) and abnormal passive function in 40/54 ears (74.1%).

ETD in children is often associated with residual or regrowth of adenoids and inflammation. Caution should be taken assigning a uniform phenotype and treatment prior to thorough evaluation and testing.

4 Laryngoscope, 129:1218-1228, 2019.