Otolaryngology >>>> Eustachite

Eustachite.

The human middle ear cavity communicates with the nasopharynx through the bone-cartilaginous Eustachian tube, which serves as a channel for air to enter the middle ear cavity and allows to equalize atmospheric pressure and pressure in the middle ear cavity. The Eustachian tube has a small cross-section (2mm) and, in a healthy state, it has good permeability. But sometimes it happens that the mucous membrane lining the Eustachian tube from the inside undergoes pathological changes, as a result of which the passage of the tube narrows and makes it difficult for air to flow. The aerodynamics of the hearing aid is impaired (atmospheric pressure outside exceeds the pressure in the middle ear cavity), which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and hearing impairment.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube is called "tubo-otitis" (or a synonym for this name: Eustachitis). There can be several reasons for Eustachitis:

The most common cause of Eustachitis is the colonization of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube by pathogenic microorganisms that enter from the nasal cavity or pharynx for respiratory diseases (catarrhal rhinitis , sinusitis, pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis, angina, flu), with adenovirus infection , streptococcal or other staphylococcal viruses infections;
Often the cause of Eustachitis is allergic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the Eustachian tube against the background of allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis;
Often, the cause of eustachitis is hyperplasia of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and sinuses, pharynx, the presence of adenoids, an increase in the volume of the tonsils, curvature of the nasal septum, tumors of the pharynx and nose;
Signs of Eustachitis often accompany such a painful condition as aerootitis,
Decompression sickness or altitude sickness can give rise to the development of eustachitis.

Typical signs of eustachitis:

State of stupor or feeling of fullness in the ear,
Cracking in the ear when swallowing or yawning,
Feeling of iridescent fluid in the ear when tilting the head,
Autophony (the sound of your own voice is heard in the ear as if from the inside),
A decrease in the level of hearing up to deafness, pain in the middle ear can indicate the transition of a serous inflammatory process to a purulent one.

Treatment of Eustachitis begins with the treatment of the underlying disease, which caused the inflammatory process in the Eustachian tube. Eliminate foci of infection in the respiratory tract (antibacterial agents, immunostimulants). Apply decongestant and vasoconstrictor nasal drops. In the presence of allergic symptoms, antihistamines are used (antiallergic drops and tablets). In the case of the development of chronic eustachitis with periodic relapses, if necessary, tonsillectomy is performed, adenoids are removed, the overgrown areas of the mucous membrane in the nasal passages are excised, and deformities of the nasal septa are corrected. They improve the patency of the Eustachian tube by introducing adrenaline, hydrocortisone, proteolytic enzymes through a catheter.

There are effective methods that improve the condition in Eustachitis: blowing the auditory tube with compressed air (blowing Politzer through the nasal cavity), pneumomassage of the eardrum.

Another inflammatory disease - otitis media, can become a complication of incorrectly and untimely treatment of Eustachitis. Launched chronic forms of Eustachitis can provoke irreversible changes in the tympanic membrane, stenosis of the Eustachian tube, deafness.