[Characterizing the passive opening of the eustachian tube in a hypo-/hyperbaric pressure chamber]. / Charakterisierung der passiven Tubenöffnung in einer hypo-/hyperbaren Druckkammer.
Laryngorhinootologie
; 92(9): 600-6, 2013 Sep.
Article
in De
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23824504
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Beside arbitrary and not arbitrary active pressure equalization systems there is a passive equalization system via the Eustachian tube (ET) at pressure difference between the epipharyngeal space and the middle ear. Aim of this study was to characterize this passive equalization system in a hypobaric/hyperbaric pressure chamber by continuously measuring the tympanic impedance. In contrast to other studies, which are measured only in a hypobaric pressure chamber it is possible to include participants with Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
Following a fixed pressure profile 39 participants were exposed to phases of pressure rising and decompression. By continuously measuring the tympanic impedance in the pressure chamber it was possible to measure data of the Eustachian Tube opening Pressure (ETOP), Eustachian Tube closing pressure (ETCP) and Eustachian Tube opening duration (ETOD). In addition it was possible to characterize the gradient of pressure during decompression, while the ET was open.RESULTS:
Beside the measurement of the arithmetic average of the ETOP (30.2 ± 15.1 mbar), ETCP (9.1 ± 7.7 mbar) and ETOD (0.65 ± 0.38 s) it was obvious that there are recurrent samples of pressure progression during the phase of tube opening. Generally it is possible to differentiate between the type of complete opening and partial opening.CONCLUSION:
The fundamental characterization of the action of the passive tube opening, including the measurement of the ETOP, ETCP and ETOD, is a first step in understanding the physiological and pathophysiological function of the ET.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Atmosphere Exposure Chambers
/
Atmospheric Pressure
/
Acoustic Impedance Tests
/
Eustachian Tube
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
De
Journal:
Laryngorhinootologie
Journal subject:
OTORRINOLARINGOLOGIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Alemania