Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty: a feasibility study

Otol Neurotol. 2010 Sep;31(7):1100-3. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181e8cc6d.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) as an option for treatment of patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Patients and interventions: A cadaveric study of 5 temporal human bones was performed. Each bone underwent transnasal balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) with computed tomography and post-dilation histology. The procedure involved the dilation of the cartilaginous and bony portion of the Eustachian tube with a balloon catheter.

Results: BET is technically easy to perform. No damage to essential structures, particularly the carotid canal, was found.

Conclusion: This newly introduced method seems to be a feasible and safe procedure to dilate the Eustachian tube.

MeSH terms

  • Cadaver
  • Catheterization*
  • Endoscopy
  • Eustachian Tube / diagnostic imaging
  • Eustachian Tube / pathology
  • Eustachian Tube / surgery*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Pharynx / anatomy & histology
  • Temporal Bone / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome