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Toynbee phenomenon and middle ear disease
Abstract:
Most kinds of acute otitis media are caused by bacteria transported from the nasopharynx to the middle ear through the eustachian tube. In this investigation the middle ear pressure after Toynbee 's maneuver--swallowing against occluded nostrils--has been registered. Two percent of normal individuals without middle ear disease developed a positive middle ear pressure, while 56 percent of patients with middle ear disease got a positive middle ear pressure. We suggest that the positive pressure created in the nasopharynx at the time of Toynbee 's maneuver is a factor in middle ear disease.
Insights
Toynbee's maneuver, a swallowing technique, can cause positive middle ear pressure. This pressure increase is more common in individuals with middle ear disease, suggesting a link to the condition.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical research
Background:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) often involves bacterial spread from the nasopharynx to the middle ear via the Eustachian tube.
- Understanding factors influencing middle ear pressure is crucial for AOM pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Toynbee's maneuver on middle ear pressure.
- To determine if positive middle ear pressure during this maneuver is associated with middle ear disease.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of middle ear pressure following Toynbee's maneuver (swallowing against occluded nostrils).
- Comparison of results between normal individuals and patients diagnosed with middle ear disease.
Main Results:
- A small percentage (2%) of healthy individuals developed positive middle ear pressure after the maneuver.
- A significantly higher proportion (56%) of patients with middle ear disease exhibited positive middle ear pressure.
Conclusions:
- Toynbee's maneuver can induce positive middle ear pressure.
- The increased incidence of positive middle ear pressure in patients suggests it may be a contributing factor in the development or exacerbation of middle ear disease.