Can nasal decongestants improve eustachian tube function?

Attila Ovari, Anne Buhr, Mareike Warkentin, Günther Kundt, Karsten Ehrt, Hans-Wilhelm Pau

Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 2015 Jan

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To evaluate the effect of nasal decongestants on eustachian tube (ET) opening. A prospective nonrandomized study. A tertiary referral center. Twenty-four patients (44 ears) with intact eardrums, 39 patients (43 ears) having a noninfected eardrum defect, and six patients with an upper airway infection. Nasal or intratympanal (in perforated ears) application of a nasal decongestant (xylometazoline 0.1%). Change of tube opening quality (yes or no; better or worse) measuring tube opening parameters (pressure, latency) using the Estève method and pressure equalization tests (swallowing at negative and positive external ear canal pressures). In most cases, nasal decongestion or intratympanal use of decongestants have no effect on ET opening. Improvement in tube opening is rather an exception and, in a minority of patients, a reduced ET function was evident. Our acute studies revealed no improvement in eustachian ventilatory tube function with the administration of nasal decongestants.

Citation

Attila Ovari, Anne Buhr, Mareike Warkentin, Günther Kundt, Karsten Ehrt, Hans-Wilhelm Pau. Can nasal decongestants improve eustachian tube function? Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology. 2015 Jan;36(1):65-9