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The impact of eustachian tube function on intra-tympanic steroid administration

  • Otology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigated the impact of eustachian tube (ET) function (ETF) on therapeutic success on candidates for intra-tympanic administration of steroids (ITAoS), due to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Methods

Medical chart review in two university-affiliated medical centers was performed. Included were consecutive adult patients diagnosed with unilateral ISSNHL between 2012 and 2019 who were treated with ITAoS due to incomplete or no recovery following systemic steroidal therapy. ETF was assessed by means tympanometry, before the initiation of ITAoS. The cohort was divided into an ET dysfunction group (ETD(+)) and a functioning ET group (control: ETD(−)). The audiologic response to treatment was recorded at the last follow-up.

Results

A total of 64 suitable patients [median (interquartile, IQR) age 49 (38–63) years] were enrolled. The ETD(+) group included 20 patients and the remaining 44 patients served as controls. Demographic and clinical parameters were not significantly different between the two groups at presentation. Hearing thresholds were improved significantly better, at frequencies 250, 500, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz (p = 0.001–0.040) in the ETD(+) group.

Conclusion

ETD(+) is associated with better efficacy of ITAoS.

Level of evidence

4.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Anton Warshavsky & Gilad Horowitz

    Present address: Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

  2. Uri Chavkin and Jacob Pitaro contributed equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel

    Uri Chavkin, Jacob Pitaro, Haim Gavriel, Ahmed Taha & Limor Muallem Kalmovich

  2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Shahaf Shilo, Ophir Handzel, Nidal Muhanna, Anton Warshavsky, Gilad Horowitz & Omer J. Ungar

  3. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Uri Chavkin, Jacob Pitaro, Haim Gavriel, Ahmed Taha, Limor Muallem Kalmovich, Shahaf Shilo, Ophir Handzel, Nidal Muhanna & Omer J. Ungar

Authors
  1. Uri Chavkin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Omer J. Ungar.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

Ethical consideration

This study was approved by the local institutional review boards of both participating medical centers (0193-21-ASF and 0312-19-TLV).

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Cite this article

Chavkin, U., Pitaro, J., Gavriel, H. et al. The impact of eustachian tube function on intra-tympanic steroid administration. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 280, 143–149 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07475-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07475-8

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