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Transtympanic balloon dilatation of eustachian tube: a human cadaver pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2012

J Kepchar ,
J Acevedo ,
J Schroeder  and
P Littlefield
J Kepchar
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
J Acevedo
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
J Schroeder
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
P Littlefield*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Philip Littlefield, ENT Section, Department of Surgery, America Building, 5th Floor, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8091 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889-5600, USA Fax: +1 (301) 273 3111 E-mail: philip.littlefield@us.army.mil
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine the feasibility and safety of transtympanic balloon dilatation of the eustachian tube.

Methods:

Transtympanic eustachian tube dilatation was performed on six cadaver heads using balloon catheters. Catheters were placed in each eustachian tube and the head scanned by computed tomography. Randomised, blinded dilatation of one balloon in each head was performed, followed again by a second computed tomography scan. The scans were reviewed by a neurotologist and neuroradiologist who were blinded to previous treatment, and measurable dilatation and incidental damage noted.

Results:

There was adequate placement of the balloon catheter beyond the bony isthmus in 6 of 10 eustachian tubes. There was one insufficient catheter placement and three adverse placements (one into the petrous carotid canal and two into the vidian canal). Only one dilated tube showed a measurable increase in diameter.

Conclusion:

This experiment revealed serious safety issues with transtympanic eustachian tube dilatation. Therefore, this approach should not be considered feasible at this time.

Keywords

Eustachian TubeAuditory TubePharyngotympanic TubeDilatation, Balloon
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 11 , November 2012 , pp. 1102 - 1107
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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