Endonasal tubal dilatation in children

Endonasal endoscopic tube dilatation of the eustachian tube using balloon catheter (BET) is an established treatment of adult tubal ventilation disorder. Even in children, where conventional surgical therapy did not achieve any success, promising data could be collected in initial studies.

In this retrospective study, data from 52 children treated by BET between April 2011 and April 2016 were evaluated. In 24 children we combined the BET with a paracentesis, in 5 with a tympanoplasty type I and in 3 with a type III. For the assessment, a audiometry, an impedance measurement and a tube manometry (50mbar) were performed pre- and postoperatively. In addition, we carried out the luebeck questionnaire both before and after the BET and evaluated the results. Childish ear-related symptoms such as pressure balance problems, ear pressure, hearing loss, earache and daily routine limitations, and patient satisfaction were studied.

The preoperative group classification of the children showed tympanic effusions (47%), adhesive processes (21%), chronic otitis media (13%) or recurrent acute otitis media (11%). In the majority of the small patients, we were able to achieve significant improvements in ear pressure, hearing loss, daily life restrictions, and satisfaction with recurring inflammation in both subjective and objective criteria, using tube manometry (TMM) and tympanogram.

BET in children is a safe, efficient, and promising method of treating chronic tube ventilation disorder as an alternative therapy when adenotomy, paracentesis, or tympanic drainage has already failed.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)