Tubomanometry-Score as Predictor of Outcome for Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty in Patients With Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

TY - JOUR

T1 - Tubomanometry-Score as Predictor of Outcome for Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty in Patients With Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

AU - Holm, Niels H.

AU - Mirz, Alexander

AU - Ovesen, Therese

AU - Pfeiffer, Christoph J.

PY - 2025/4

Y1 - 2025/4

N2 - Objective: To investigate the predictive value of tubomanometry (TMM) in predicting subjective outcome of Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) in patients with long-lasting Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Study Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Single tertiary referral center. Methods: A total of 111 ETD patients undergoing 194 BET procedures were included. Demographics, TMM measurements, and tympanograms were registered before and 3 to 6 months after BET. The time ratio between the pressure increase in the nasopharynx and the outer ear canal was labelled R value. Results: At follow-up, 58.8% of the patients were satisfied with BET outcomes. The prevalence of normal R values increased significantly at 30 mbar (12%, P =.024), 40 mbar (14%, P =.0082), and 50 mbar (13%, P =.011). The prevalence of R = 0 decreased at all three pressure levels (−20%, P =.0001; −15%, P =.0013, and −16%, P =.0005, respectively). Type A tympanograms increased from 37% to 56% (P =.0002), while type B tympanograms decreased from 44% to 25% (P =.0006). Stratifying TMM measurements (R ≤ 1, R > 1, and R = 0) showed that preoperative R values were not prognostic of subjective outcome. Preoperative type B tympanogram indicated a risk of poor subjective outcome. Conclusion: BET appeared to improve Eustachian tube function with reduced prevalence of pathologic R values and tympanograms. Although preoperative R values were not prognostic, TMM remains promising for assessing Eustachian tube function. Further studies are needed to refine TMM's role in predicting BET efficacy.

AB - Objective: To investigate the predictive value of tubomanometry (TMM) in predicting subjective outcome of Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) in patients with long-lasting Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Study Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Single tertiary referral center. Methods: A total of 111 ETD patients undergoing 194 BET procedures were included. Demographics, TMM measurements, and tympanograms were registered before and 3 to 6 months after BET. The time ratio between the pressure increase in the nasopharynx and the outer ear canal was labelled R value. Results: At follow-up, 58.8% of the patients were satisfied with BET outcomes. The prevalence of normal R values increased significantly at 30 mbar (12%, P =.024), 40 mbar (14%, P =.0082), and 50 mbar (13%, P =.011). The prevalence of R = 0 decreased at all three pressure levels (−20%, P =.0001; −15%, P =.0013, and −16%, P =.0005, respectively). Type A tympanograms increased from 37% to 56% (P =.0002), while type B tympanograms decreased from 44% to 25% (P =.0006). Stratifying TMM measurements (R ≤ 1, R > 1, and R = 0) showed that preoperative R values were not prognostic of subjective outcome. Preoperative type B tympanogram indicated a risk of poor subjective outcome. Conclusion: BET appeared to improve Eustachian tube function with reduced prevalence of pathologic R values and tympanograms. Although preoperative R values were not prognostic, TMM remains promising for assessing Eustachian tube function. Further studies are needed to refine TMM's role in predicting BET efficacy.

KW - Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty

KW - Eustachian tube dysfunction

KW - predictive value

KW - surgical outcome

KW - tubomanometry

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85216209537&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/ohn.1145

DO - 10.1002/ohn.1145

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39868609

AN - SCOPUS:85216209537

SN - 0194-5998

VL - 172

SP - 1387

EP - 1393

JO - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

JF - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

IS - 4

ER -