Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of manometric eustachian tube function tests in children with ventilation tubes in situ. STUDY DESIGN: Repeated manometric eustachian tube function tests during one session. SETTING: The study took place at a secondary referral hospital and a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Ninety-nine children with ventilation tubes in situ because of persistent otitis media with effusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Opening pressure (Po), closing pressure (Pc), and tubal function group. RESULTS: Analysis of Po and Pc showed a decrease with repeated measurement (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The effect of repeated measurement on Po was more pronounced than the effect on Pc. The results of the first and second pressure equilibration tests showed 99% agreement. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed good reproducibility of the categorized results of the pressure equilibration test, whereas the results of the forced-response test seemed to be less reproducible and showed a downward shift with repeated measurement. A single measurement using wet swallowing and starting pressures of 100 and -100 daPa and the mean of the first three measurements of the Po and Pc are sufficient to determine tubal function. Further studies are needed to determine the discriminative power of these tests in children with different degrees of middle ear disease.
