Eustachian Tube Characteristics in Patients With Turner Syndrome: A CT-Based Radiological Analysis

Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) commonly experience acute otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Comparison of the anatomical features of the Eustachian tube (ET) between TS patients and age-matched controls may provide insights into the high prevalence of ETD in TS.

This study compared the ET angle, length, and diameters of the bone segment, bone-cartilage (BC) junction, and pharyngeal opening between TS patients and control children. A subgroup analysis was also conducted to explore potential risk factors for ETD in TS patients.

The ET angle in the TS group was significantly smaller (31.57°; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 30.05-33.09) compared with the control group (33.72°; 95% CI: 32.68-34.75; p = 0.019). No significant difference in ET length was observed between the two groups. However, the TS group exhibited significantly narrower diameters at the bony segment of the ET (0.30 cm; 95% CI: 0.29-0.32; p = 0.001), the BC junction (0.15 cm; 95% CI: 0.13-0.16; p = 0.001), and the pharyngeal orifice (0.14 cm; 95% CI: 0.13-0.16; p = 0.001) compared with the control group. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between ET length and angle in the control group, whereas a non-significant negative correlation was observed in the TS group. In patients with TS, ET angles < 33.25°, bone segment diameters < 0.355 cm, and pharyngeal diameters < 0.15 cm were significantly associated with an increased risk of ETD.

A more horizontal ET angle, along with narrower diameters at various ET segments, may contribute to the development of ETD in patients with TS. Consequently, heightened vigilance in monitoring hearing and early intervention strategies is recommended for children with TS (https://www.chictr.org.cn/, ChiCTR2300068063).