Evaluation of the Function of Auditive Tube

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the possibility of glucose test in assessing the function of the Eustachian tube.

Method: Prospective study included 20 subjects with chronic otitis media not cholesteatoma, presenting dry tympanic perforation for at least 30 days. These patients were subjected to instillation of ear drops of glucose solution in the ear with dry tympanic perforation. Later these patients were subjected to a audiologic evaluation with impedance and Eustachian tube function test.

Results: In glucose test there was a statistical difference between the 2 responses of test, since it can be stated that there is a greater percentage of subjects with positive responses (80%). There was no statistical difference between the 2 responses in Eustachian tube function test. The test with the greater percentage of semipermeable was glucose test, with 80%, versus 45% of Eustachian tube function test. Consequently the Eustachian tube function test had a greater percentage of not permeable, with 50% versus 20% of glucose test. The glucose test has an excellent sensitivity (100%) and specificity is very low (33.3%).

Conclusion: The glucose test gives informations about the function of the auditive tube.