Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of tubomanometry (TMM) in predicting subjective outcome of Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) in patients with long-lasting Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Single tertiary referral center. METHODS: A total of 111 ETD patients undergoing 194 BET procedures were included. Demographics, TMM measurements, and tympanograms were registered before and 3 to 6 months after BET. The time ratio between the pressure increase in the nasopharynx and the outer ear canal was labelled R value. RESULTS: At follow-up, 58.8% of the patients were satisfied with BET outcomes. The prevalence of normal R values increased significantly at 30 mbar (12%, P = .024), 40 mbar (14%, P = .0082), and 50 mbar (13%, P = .011). The prevalence of R = 0 decreased at all three pressure levels (-20%, P = .0001; -15%, P = .0013, and -16%, P = .0005, respectively). Type A tympanograms increased from 37% to 56% (P = .0002), while type B tympanograms decreased from 44% to 25% (P = .0006). Stratifying TMM measurements (R ≤ 1, R > 1, and R = 0) showed that preoperative R values were not prognostic of subjective outcome. Preoperative type B tympanogram indicated a risk of poor subjective outcome. CONCLUSION: BET appeared to improve Eustachian tube function with reduced prevalence of pathologic R values and tympanograms. Although preoperative R values were not prognostic, TMM remains promising for assessing Eustachian tube function. Further studies are needed to refine TMM's role in predicting BET efficacy.