Influence of repetitive diving in saltwater on pressure equalization and Eustachian tube function in recreational scuba divers.
Diving Hyperb Med
; 47(4): 214-215, 2017 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29241230
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
We investigated in a prospective, observational trial the feasibility of using the Eustachian tube function test (ETFT) to measure the effect of repetitive pressure exposure during open seawater dives on Eustachian tube function.METHODS:
The study included 28 adult divers during six consecutive days of diving in the Red Sea. Participants underwent otoscopy and ETFT before the first dive, between each dive and after the last dive. ETFT included regular tympanometry (R-tymp), tympanometry after Valsalva (V-tymp) and after swallowing (S-tymp). The R-tymp was obtained as 'baseline' peak pressure. After a Valsalva, the peak pressure should shift (positively), revealing a positive shift of the tympanic membrane. This pressure shift is defined here as R-VdP. The changes in compliance and peak pressure were recorded and correlated with otoscopic findings and diving experience. Middle ear barotrauma was scored using the Edmonds modified TEED scale.RESULTS:
The 28 participants performed 437 dives. Positive shift of pressure in the middle ear was evident with significant changes from day one to day three (P < 0.0001). Divers with barotrauma showed significantly lower values of R-tymp peak pressure and significantly higher negative R-VdP, compared to divers with normal otoscopic findings (P < 0.05). Diving experience significantly correlated with R-tymp peak pressure and prevalence of middle ear barotrauma.CONCLUSION:
Significant changes in middle ear pressure and pressure equalization from repeated pressure exposure in saltwater were seen using ETFT. Repetitive, multi-day diving led to significantly decreased compliance and increased R-tymp peak pressure (overpressure) in the middle ear. Most profound changes were observed in less and intermediate experienced divers.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Água do Mar
/
Testes de Impedância Acústica
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Mergulho
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Tuba Auditiva
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article