Effect of inflammation of the ventilatory function of the eustachian tube.

In an attempt to determine the effect of an upper respiratory tract infection on the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube, 20 children who had recurrent acute or chronic middle ear effusions were studied. Baseline Eustachian tube function testing was obtained when there were no signs or symptoms of upper respiratory infection. These tests were repeated at six-week intervals and whenever an upper respiratory tract infection supervened.