Eustachian tube diameter: Is it associated with chronic otitis media development?

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ET diameter on Chronic Otitis Media (COM) pathogenesis. Study design: Retrospective. Subjects and methods: Patients with unilateral COM disease are included in the study. The connection between fibrocartilaginous and osseous segments of the Eustachian Tube (ET) on axial Computed Tomography (CT) images was defined and the diameter of this segment is measured. The measurements were carried out bilaterally and statistically compared. Results: 154 (76 (49%) male, 78 (51%) female patients were diagnosed with unilateral COM and included in the study. The mean diameter of ET was 1947 mm (Std. deviation ± 0.5247) for healthy ears and 1788 mm (Std. deviation ± 0.5306) for diseased ears. The statistical analysis showed a significantly narrow ET diameter in diseased ear side (p b 0.01). Conclusion: The dysfunction or anatomical anomalies of ET are correlated with COM. Measuring of the bony diameter of ET during routine Temporal CT examination is recommended for our colleagues.