Effects of middle ear oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions on eustachian tube ventilatory function

Avi Shupak, Reza Tabari, J. Douglas Swarts, Charles D. Bluestone, William J. Doyle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of middle ear (ME) gas composition on eustachian tube ventilatory function (ETVF). ETVF was evaluated by using forced-response and inflation-deflation tests in four alert cynomolgus monkeys during test sessions with different gas compositions. The ME was flushed with one of the four gas mixtures: 1. air; 2. 12% oxygen, 88% nitrogen; 3. 100% oxygen; and 4. 5% carbon dioxide, 21% oxygen, and 74% nitrogen before and during testing. The results documented lower opening, steady-state, and closing pressures, lower passive and active resistance, and greater dilatory efficiency following ME flushes with the hypercarbic and hypoxic gas mixtures when compared to the others. Also, for applied ME overpressure, the maximum pressure change during a swallow, the average pressure drop for all swallows, and the percentage of the applied pressure equalized were greater under hypoxic and hypercarbic conditions. These results show that ME gas composition affects ETVF and support feedback modulation of ME pressure regulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-224
Number of pages4
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume106
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1996
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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