Endoscopic-Assisted Balloon Dilatation of Eustachian Tube—Preliminary Report from a Tertiary Hospital in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Context:

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) results from failure of the Eustachian tube (ET) to ventilate the middle ear adequately. It is responsible for most cases of persistent middle ear disease. Management of ETD is classically conservative and limited to medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for cases that fail medical treatment. Recently, endoscopic balloon dilation of the cartilaginous ET has shown encouraging results and appears effective, safe, well tolerated, and affordable.

Aims:

To present a preliminary report of Endoscopic balloon dilatation of Chronic ETD in a tertiary hospital.

Settings and Design:

A retrospective study involving 5 patients with chronic ETD who had endoscopic-assisted balloon dilatation of the ET in a tertiary hospital.

Materials and Methods:

The patients’ records were retrieved, and relevant data were extracted. All patients had completed an otorhinolaryngological examination and tympanometry.

Statistical Analysis:

The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results:

There was a symptomatic improvement in four patients (7 ETs) at 2 weeks post-operative review. No improvement was seen in one patient (2 ETs). Similarly, the result of tympanometry at 6 weeks follow-up showed a change in tympanogram from type-C to type-A in two patients and from type-B to type-C in one patient. There was persistence of type-C in one patient and type-B in one patient.

Conclusion:

Although findings from our experience showed mixed results, endoscopic-assisted balloon dilatation of ET is feasible and can be used as an option in managing patients with ETD in our environment.