The relationship between nasal airway resistance and middle ear pressure in subjects with acute upper respiratory tract infection

[Exudative otitis media in the childhood]

This review article was designed to systematize the literature data concerning etiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment of exudative otitis media (EOM) in the children. The review is focused on the prevailing current tendencies in the approaches to the problems of etiology, diagnostics, and treatment of EOM in the children as exemplified by the publications in the foreign and Russian-speaking literature. The special emphasis is laid on the description of the therapeutic and surgical methods for the management of EOM.

Different reactions of human nasal and Eustachian tube mucosa after hyperbaric oxygen exposure: a pilot study

Impairment of Eustachian tube function has been observed after hyperbaric oxygen treatment as well as after diving on oxygen used as breathing gas. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on Eustachian tube ventilatory function and airflow characteristics of the nose. Six police task force divers performing two consecutive dives within a regular training schedule on oxygen were examined. Middle ear impedance, and nasal airflow velocities before and after diving as well as on the morning after the dive day were measured. Middle ear impedance decreased overnight in comparison to pre-dive values (P = 0.027) as well as compared to the value after the first dive (P = 0.032). Rhinoflowmetry did not reveal any changes of nasal airflow velocities related to the dives. Furthermore, no association between middle ear impedance and nasal airflow velocities was found. An impairment of Eustachian tube ventilatory function was obtained after hyperbaric oxygen exposure during dives employing oxygen as breathing gas. This impairment, however, was not associated with altered airflow characteristics of divers' noses. Thus, it seems unlikely that hyperbaric oxygen exerts an effect on the nasal mucosa similar to that on the Eustachian tube mucosa.

Can Eustachian Tube Ventilatory Function Impairment After Oxygen Diving Be Influenced by Application of Free Radical Scavenger Vitamins C and E?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the influence of free radical scavenger vitamins C and E on eustachian tube ventilatory function changes related to oxygen dives.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of middle ear impedance changes of oxygen divers being orally treated with free radical scavenger vitamins C and E.

METHODS

Fifteen divers were allocated to two groups. Before diving on oxygen on consecutive days (days 1 and 2), divers in group 1 took a daily dose of 1 g ascorbic acid and 600 International Units d-alpha-tocopherol and divers in group 2 were given placebo. Before diving and 2 and 24 hours after diving on days 1 and 2, middle ear impedance was measured.

RESULTS

Impedance decreased overnight after dive 1 (P =.04) but not after dive 2 (P =.31). No impedance differences were found between groups after the dive on day 1 (P =.83). Twenty-four hours after the dive on day 1 and after the dive on day 2, impedance values in both groups were different (P =.02 vs. P =.07), emphasizing slightly more negative pressures in the vitamin group.

CONCLUSION

Vitamins C and E did not reduce eustachian tube ventilatory function impairment overnight after the dive on day 1, suggesting no evidence of free radical-mediated toxicity affecting the eustachian tube or middle ear mucosa. Repetitive oxygen dives may cause tissue adaptation suggesting other than antioxidant defense mechanisms.

Effect of topical adrenergic decongestants on middle ear pressure in infants with common colds

BACKGROUND

Otitis media is frequently a complication of the common cold. Obstruction of the eustachian tube ostia by nasopharyngeal edema has been suggested as a cause of this complication.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of a topical adrenergic decongestant on middle ear pressure in infants with common cold symptoms.

METHODS

The study was conducted with a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled design. Middle ear pressure was determined in infants 6 to 18 months old who had common cold symptoms. Infants with abnormal middle ear pressure (< or = -100 mm H2O) in either ear were treated with intranasal phenylephrine drops or placebo. The effect of the treatment on middle ear pressure in ears with abnormal pressure at baseline was determined 1 h later.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 44 infants with abnormal middle ear pressures received intranasal phenylephrine drops and 21 received placebo. Middle ear pressure remained abnormal after treatment with phenylephrine in 29 of 33 (88%) ears and after treatment with placebo in 26 of 34 (76%). The mean change in middle ear pressure after treatment was +23 mm H2O in the active group and +40 mm H2O in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of nasal obstruction with topical adrenergic decongestants does not improve abnormal middle ear pressures during the common cold.