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Sinonasal Inflammatory Burden on Computed Tomography in Adults With Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: A
Dachan Kim1, Jeong Gum Lee1, Seong Hoon Bae2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul Korea.
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Adults with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) show increased sinonasal inflammation on CT scans compared to controls. This suggests a link between ETD and chronic rhinosinusitis, impacting both nasal and ear health.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) often occur together.
- Objective data on the relationship between CRS and ETD is limited.
- Both conditions may stem from shared mucosal inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if adults with objectively verified ETD have a greater paranasal sinus inflammatory burden on CT scans compared to controls.
- To determine if this inflammatory burden varies by sinus drainage pathway or ear laterality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective CT case-control study comparing 140 adults with obstructive ETD (balloon tuboplasty) to 312 controls.
- Sinonasal opacification assessed using the Lund-Mackay (LM) scoring system.
- Analysis included anterior/posterior compartments and ipsilateral/contralateral cavities.
Main Results:
- Obstructive ETD patients had significantly higher total LM scores (1.77 vs. 0.80, p=0.002).
- A higher proportion of ETD patients met the CRS radiologic threshold (17.9% vs. 4.2%, OR=5.00, p<0.001).
- Both anterior and posterior sinus compartments showed greater opacification in ETD patients, bilaterally.
Conclusions:
- Adults with obstructive ETD exhibit increased bilateral sinonasal inflammatory burden on CT.
- Findings support the co-occurrence of sinonasal inflammation in ETD.
- Integrated management of sinonasal and otologic conditions is warranted.
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