Parálisis facial alternobárica: a propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Alternobaric facial palsy: case report and literature review

La parálisis o paresia facial alternobárica es una neuropraxia del séptimo nervio cra-neal debido a cambios de presión. Se produce en el contexto de una disfunción de la trompa de Eustaquio, una dehiscencia canal del nervio facial y cambios en la presión atmosférica. Se considera una rara complicación de barotrauma. Su prevalencia es difícil de estimar y, probablemente, se encuentre subreportada. La forma de presentación más habitual incluye paresia facial, plenitud aural, hipoacusia, otalgia, parestesias faciales y linguales. La mayoría de los episodios son transitorios, con una duración entre minutos y algunas horas, con recuperación posterior completa. Entre los diagnósticos diferenciales se encuentran causas periféricas y centrales de paresia facial, las cuales hay que sospechar ante la persistencia de los síntomas en el tiempo o ante la presencia de otros signos o síntomas neurológicos. La evaluación inicial debe incluir un examen otoneurológico completo. La tomografía computarizada de hueso temporal favorece la visualización de posibles dehiscencias del canal del facial. La prevención de nuevos episodios incluye la práctica de ecualización efectiva, la resolución de la disfunción de la trompa de Eustaquio y en algunos casos específicos, métodos alternativos de ventilación del oído medio como la colocación de tubos de ventilación. Una vez instalada la parálisis facial, si no se produce recuperación espontánea, el uso de corticoides es una opción. Se presenta un caso de paresia facial alternobárica recurrente y una revisión de literatura.

Alternobaric facial palsy or paralysis is a neuropraxia of the seventh cranial nerve due to pressure changes. It occurs in the context of Eustachian tube dysfunction, facial nerve canal dehiscence, and changes in atmospheric pressure. It is considered a rare complication of barotrauma. Its prevalence is difficult to estimated, and this condition is probably underreported. The most common form of presentation includes facial weakness, ear fullness or pressure, hearing loss, otalgia, facial and lingual paresthesias. Most episodes are transient, lasting from minutes to a few hours, with a subsequent complete recovery. Among the possible differential diagnoses are peripheral and central causes of facial paralysis, which must be suspected due to the persistence of symptoms over time or the presence of other neurological signs or symptoms. The initial evaluation should include a complete otoneurological examination. Computed tomography of the temporal bone is useful for the visualization of facial canal dehiscence. Prevention of further episodes includes practicing effective equalization, Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment, and in certain specific cases, alternative middle ear ventilation methods such as tympanostomy tubes. Once facial paralysis is established, if spontaneous recovery does not occur, the use of corticosteroids is considered an option. A case of recurrent alternobaric facial paresis and a review of the literature are presented.

Disfunción del conducto faringotimpánico. El ETDQ-7 como herramienta para el diagnóstico clínico / Pharyngothympanic tube dysfunction. The ETDQ-7 as a tool for clinical diagnosis

RESUMEN En la actualidad se hace referencia en la bibliografía a una gran variedad de métodos para evaluar la disfunción del conducto faringotimpánico (DCFT), la gran mayoría de ellos requiere de instrumental de alta complejidad y personal altamente capacitado. Pese a lo mencionado, ninguno de dichos métodos ha sido validado como herramienta gold standard para el diagnóstico de esta patología. En este contexto, se presenta una herramienta complementaria para el diagnóstico de la DCFT, el Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire -7 ítemes (ETDQ-7); cuestionario autoadministrado que considera 7 preguntas en base a una escala de Likert, fue creado para evaluar la sintomatología asociada a la disfunción del conducto con una puntuación que va desde lo más leve (1 punto) a lo más grave (7 puntos) de acuerdo con los síntomas percibidos, y posee un puntaje máximo de 49 puntos, correspondiente a una disfunción severa. La presente revisión tiene como objetivo buscar, organizar, clasificar y describir la información disponible en publicaciones científicas indexadas sobre el ETDQ-7 como herramienta para el diagnóstico clínico complementario de la DCFT. Se incluyeron 11 artículos científicos que hacen referencia al uso del ETDQ-7 en diferentes países. Los resultados recabados sugieren que el ETDQ-7 sería una valiosa herramienta, de alta sensibilidad, especificidad y validez clínica, que permitiría discriminar la presencia de la DCFT. No se encontró evidencia respecto a la aplicación o validación de este cuestionario en nuestro país.

ABSTRACT At present, great variety of methods are described to evaluate the dysfunction of the pharyngotympanic duct (DCFT), the vast majority of them require highly complex instruments and highly trained personnel. Despite this, none of these methods has been validated as the gold standard for the diagnosis of this pathology. In this context, a complementary tool for the diagnosis of the DCFT is presented. The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 items (ETDQ-7), a self-administered questionnaire that includes 7 questions based on a Likert scale, was created to evaluate the symptomatology associated with the dysfunction of the duet. It is scored ranging from the mildest symptomatology (1 point) to the most severe (7 points), according to the perceived symptoms, with a maximum score of 49 points, corresponding to a severe dysfunction. The present review aims to search, organize, classify and describe the available information in scientific indexed journals about the ETDQ-7 as a tool for complementary diagnosis of the DCFT. Eleven scientific articles were included, referred to the use of ETDQ-7 in different countries, describing it as a valid tool which allows to discriminate the presence of a DCFT.

Comparison between curettage adenoidectomy and endoscopic-assisted microdebrider adenoidectomy in terms of Eustachian tube dysfunction / Comparação entre adenoidectomia por curetagem e adenoidectomia por microdebridador assistida por endoscopia, em relação à disfunção tubária

Abstract Introduction Adenoidectomy can be performed with many ways, including curettage and microdebrider endoscopic-assisted adenoidectomy. Those two techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Objective The objective of this study is to research the effects of curettage adenoidectomy and endoscopic-assisted microdebrider adenoidectomy on the tympanum pressures in pediatric patients with adenoid hypertrophy without otitis media with effusion. Methods This prospective descriptive study was performed with 65 patients who had a normal tympanic membrane and normal tympanogram and then underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy for adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: curettage adenoidectomy group and endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy group. They underwent tympanometry, and the preoperative as well as 1st and 7th day postoperative values of the tympanum pressures were compared within and among the groups. Results There were 32 patients in the curettage adenoidectomy group and 33 patients in the microdebrider adenoidectomy group. Statistically significant differences were observed in the median tympanum pressure on the preoperative and 1st and 7th postoperative days for both the left and right ears with curettage adenoidectomy (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). This difference occurred on the 1st postoperative day, and the value returned to normal on the 7th day. There was no significant difference in the median tympanum pressure on the preoperative and 1st and 7th postoperative days for both the left and right ears in the microdebrider adenoidectomy group (p = 0.376, p = 0.128). Conclusion Postoperative Eustachian tube dysfunction is seen less often with the endoscopic-assisted microdebrider adenoidectomy technique than with the conventional adenoidectomy technique.

Resumo Introdução A adenoidectomia pode ser realizada de várias maneiras, inclusive por curetagem e por microdebridador, assistida por endoscopia. Essas duas técnicas têm algumas vantagens e desvantagens. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos da técnica de adenoidectomia por curetagem e da adenoidectomia por microdebridador assistida por endoscopia sobre a pressão timpânica em pacientes pediátricos com hipertrofia adenoideana sem otite média com efusão. Método Estudo descritivo prospectivo feito com 65 pacientes que apresentavam membrana timpânica e timpanograma normais, que foram então submetidos à adenoidectomia ou adenotonsilectomia por hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana. Os pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo adenoidectomia por curetagem e grupo adenoidectomia por microdebridador assistida por endoscópio. Todos os pacientes fizeram timpanometria e os valores das pressões do tímpano pré-operatórios e pós-operatórios no 1º e 7º dias foram comparados intragrupos e entre os grupos. Resultados Foram incluídos 32 pacientes no grupo adenoidectomia por curetagem e 33 pacientes no grupo adenoidectomia com microdebridador. Diferenças estatisticamente significantes foram observadas na mediana da diferença entre a pressão timpânica no pré-operatório e no 1º e 7º dias de pós-operatório para ambas as orelhas, direita e esquerda, na adenoidectomia por curetagem (p < 0,001, p < 0,001). Essa diferença ocorreu no 1º dia do pós-operatório e o valor retornou ao normal no 7º dia. Não houve diferença significante na mediana entre pressão timpânica no pré-operatório e no 1º e 7º dias de pós-operatório para as orelhas direita e esquerda no grupo de adenoidectomia com microdebridador (p = 0,376, p = 0,128). Conclusão A disfunção tubária no pós-operatório é observada menos frequentemente com a técnica de adenoidectomia por microdebridador assistida por endoscopia quando comparada com a técnica convencional.

Efficacy of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty combined with grommet insertion in the treatment of chronic dilation Eustachian tube dysfunction / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the efficacy of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) combined with grommet insertion in the treatment of chronic dilation Eustachian tube dysfunction (CDETD).@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was performed in 19 patients with CDETD who underwent BET at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, from October, 2014 to September, 2016. The ages of these patients ranged from 10 to 67 years. All the patients underwent the preoperative assessment of oto-endoscope, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, fiber nasopharyngeal endoscopy, Eustachian tube pressure measurement (TMM), CT and MRI. These patients had failed to respond to medicine, multiple tympanic membrane puncture and at least 2 times grommet insertion before our study. BET was performed in 5 patients (5 ears), and BET+grommet insertionwas performed in other 14 patients (23 ears). The changes of Eustachian tube function in these patients was assessed using the Eustachian tube score (ETS) and Eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery, respectively. In addition, subjective symptoms including the difficulty level of valsalva, aural fullness and earache were assessed by visual rating scale (VAS score) preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The mean scores before surgery were compared with that at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Postoperative adverse reactions and complications were recorded, such as earache, nosebleeding and so on.@*RESULTS@#Valsalva score and VAS score for aural fullness before surgery were 8.286±0.189 and 8.571±0.221, respectively. Valsalva score and VAS score for aural fullness were 3.714±0.317, 2.393±0.434, respectively, at one month after surgery, which were decreased significantly, as compared with the scores before surgery (<0.05). VAS score at 6 months and 12 months after surgery were statistically significant compared with those before surgery (<0.05). ETS score after surgery was significantly higher than that before surgery (<0.05). ETDQ-7 score after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery (<0.05). The subjective satisfaction in these patients was 84.2%.@*CONCLUSIONS@#BET is simple and safe, with fewer complications, and effective for the treatment of CDETD combined with grommet insertion.

Analysis of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction by Dynamic Slow Motion Video Endoscopy and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire in Chronic Otitis Media

OBJECTIVES: Eustachian tube dysfunction has been associated with most cases of middle-ear disease. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of dynamic slow motion video endoscopy (DSVE) as a test of eustachian tube dysfunction. Furthermore, we assessed the correlation of the test with the Valsalva maneuver, the seven-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7), and intraoperative findings of the eustachian tube. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from April to September 2014 to identify patients who were diagnosed with chronic otitis media (COM) at Korea University Ansan Hospital. They all underwent surgery because of COM without cholesteatoma and were assessed via the DSVE and ETDQ-7 to determine eustachian tube function. RESULTS: We reviewed 46 COM patients and examined 46 ears with COM and 46 ears on the contralateral side to COM that were thought to be normal. The mean DSVE grade in COM ears was 1.57±0.96, while the mean DSVE grade in contralateral ears was 1.15±0.94. The difference in DSVE between COM ears and normal ears was statistically significant (P=0.006). In the ETDQ-7, a higher score was related to intraoperative obstruction of the eustachian tube (P=0.012). CONCLUSION: DSVE and ETDQ-7 can provide information regarding preoperative status of eustachian tube dysfunction by measuring dynamic structural changes of the eustachian tube in combination with other diagnostic tests.

Evaluation on short-term efficacy of balloon dilation in the treatment of symptomatical eustachian tube dysfunction / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term efficacy of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) in the treatment of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction (SETD) by subjective and objective analysis.METHODS Forty patients who underwent ETBD were included. Subjects’ inclusion criteria were as followed: symptoms of ETD (aural fullness predominantly, with or without otalgia, muffle hearing and tinnitus), normal tympanic membrane, type A or C tympanograms, and without a history of any middle ear diseases. Main outcomes including subjective improvement, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, R-value in tubomanometry (TMM) and Eustachian Tube Score (ETS) were assessed 1 week and 6 months postoperatively.RESULTSAll cases were dilated successfully. A significant effect of treatment was documented when measuring subjective improvement, impedance audiometry, R-value in TMM and ETS 1 week and 6 month postoperatively. Subjective symptoms were not relieved only in one patient. The overall success rate for all patients was 98%.CONCLUSIONETBD can provide short-term benefits to those who are diagnosed with SETD and refractory to medical management. SETD might be an optimal indication for ETBD in the treatment of ETD.