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Evaluation of Eustachian tube function with perfect sequences: technical realization and first clinical results

  • Otology
  • Published:
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Abstract

The aim of this study was the introduction of a specific class of signals, the so-called perfect sequences (PSEQ), in a novel approach for sonotubometry of the Eustachian tube (ET). Sonotubometry using PSEQ stimuli was performed on 20 healthy subjects in order to gauge its potential for clinical applications. In a series of 320 measurements ET opening was probed, which was induced by dry and water swallowing, Toynbee maneuver, and yawning. All sonotubograms were analyzed with respect to their shape, increase of sound intensity, and opening duration. In 298/320 measurements (>93%) the subjects reported subjective ET openings. The evaluation of the recorded sonotubograms showed good detection of ET opening for the inducing maneuvers of swallowing (dry and water swallowing) and the Toynbee maneuver, with 90, 86, and 80% valid sonotubograms, respectively. Yawning led to only 40% valid sonotubograms. In total, 237/320 (~74%) sonotubograms were classified as valid. The evaluation of the sound level increase during ET openings showed that it was significantly higher in measurements with dry and water swallowing, as well as Toynbee maneuvers (mean 17.1, 19.0 and 17.2 dB, respectively), than with yawning (mean 10.17 dB; P < 0.0001). Nasal decongestion was found to have little influence on the results (P > 0.05). Sonotubometry using PSEQ stimuli is a novel sonotubometry methodology that provides valuable information regarding the auditory tube patency. By further technical refinements of the method, a diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity could be developed.

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Acknowledgments

Part of this work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), grant MA 3917/1–1. The authors thank Dr. A. Haselhuhn Aachen University, Institute of Biometrics for the statistics and Mr. C. Miller, Schaumburg, IL, USA for the translation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, DIAKO Hospital, Gröpelinger Heerstraße 406–408, 28239, Bremen, Germany

    Ercole F. N. Di Martino & Viorel Nath

  2. Institute of Communication Systems and Data Processing, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Aulis Telle, Christiane Antweiler & P. Vary

  3. Centre of Otorhinolaryngology, Sulzbach, Germany

    Leif E. Walther

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  1. Ercole F. N. Di Martino
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  2. Viorel Nath
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  3. Aulis Telle
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  4. Christiane Antweiler
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  5. Leif E. Walther
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  6. P. Vary
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Correspondence to Ercole F. N. Di Martino.

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Di Martino, E.F.N., Nath, V., Telle, A. et al. Evaluation of Eustachian tube function with perfect sequences: technical realization and first clinical results. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 267, 367–374 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1074-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1074-9

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