Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2016 Jun;9(2):116-122. 10.21053/ceo.2015.00626.

Eustachian Tube Opening Measurement by Sonotubometry Using Perfect Sequences for Healthy Adults

• Beleskiene V
• Lesinskas
• Januskiene V
• Daunoraviciene K
• Rauba D
• Ivaska J

• KMID: 2165053
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2015.00626

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to establish the rate variation of sonotubometric measurements using a specific broadband class of signals, the so-called perfect sequences (PSEQ) among healthy adults and to identify an optimal and technically simple test to provoke Eustachian tube (ET) openings.
METHODS
Sonotubometry was performed on 105 healthy adult subjects. Three different consecutive maneuvers were performed for ET opening: dry swallowing, water swallowing (a small [2 mL] and a large [5 mL] water bolus). Values of the amplitude and duration of each measured ET opening were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 6,300 measurements were performed. Sonotubometric ET openings were detected for all subjects but not for each measurement. In 6,180 of 6,300 measurements (98.1%), objective ET openings were registered. In 11 of 105 subjects (10.5%) at least one sonotubometric ET opening was not detected. The mean ET opening duration time and the mean sound amplitude similar for all performed test and were 270 (SD, ±96) msec, 13.48 (SD, ±6.57) dB.
CONCLUSION
Sonotubometry based on PSEQ stimuli is a reliable methodology to assess the ET opening function in healthy subjects. Mean ET opening duration time and the mean sound wave amplitude performed similarly in all analysed tests, hence it might be concluded that dry (saliva) and water swallowing are reliable sonotubometric maneuvers and may be used when examining ET opening function. The size of a sip during water swallowing does not affect the sonotubometry result. All maneuvers can be equally used as the optimal test, and water swallow is most comfortable for the subject.

Keyword

Eustachian Tube; Acoustic Impedance Tests; Adult

MeSH Terms

Acoustic Impedance Tests
Adult*
Deglutition
Eustachian Tube*
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Sound
Water
Water

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Sonotubometry measurement procedure.

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  Fig. 2. Examples of types of sonotubometry curves. (A) Example for a spike-type sonotubogram. (B) Example for a double peak-type sonotubogram. (C) Example for a descendant-type sonotubogram. (D) Example for a plateau-type sonotubogram.

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