Aerodynamic pattern of Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Detailed aerodynamic patterns for various disorders of the Eustachian tube function were reported. Simultaneous recording of the pressure in the ear canal and the pharyngeal cavity during Valsalva's maneuver and deglutition permitted an objective evaluation of different tubal dysfunctions. The patient with occluded tube showed either disturbance of the air flowing into the tube or outflowing from the tympanum to the pharynx. Depending on the degree of patency, the patulous tube showed either a synchronous change of the tympanal pressure with that of the pharyngeal cavity or an early and sudden drop of the tympanal pressure without deglutition. Through this rather simple aerodynamic technique, evaluation of different tubal dysfunction is possible.