Abstract
1. Eustachian tube catheterization (E. T. C.) for diagnosis and treatment of middle ear dysfunction.
The catheterization of Eustachian tube could be used not only for diagnosis, but also for treatment of middle ear diseases. By the catheterization, we can get valuable information about the middle ear cavity and the tympanic membrane.
1) The drum gives clear picture of itself when it is raised. Whether or not the drum could be raised would also be checked.
2) Air bubbles could be easily detectable when the middle ear is inflated.
3) The condition of the tympanic fold and the other middle ear structures could be examined by the process of inflation.
The diagnostic significance of inflation during the act of swallowing is also stressed.
2. Tympanotomy tube.
In view of the recent increase of the middle ear disease with effusion, the study was done on its diagnosis and treatment. In the present study, the rationale of tympanotomy tube therapy, which was favorably approved by several authors, was critically checked.
The collapse of the ear drum is seemingly due to the negative pressure not only in the middle ear but also in the nasopharynx. As it is evident that myringotomy alone does not cure the atelectasis, first choice of the initial treatment in our clinic is catheterization. Then myringotomy followed with aspiration, and tympanotomy tube therapy are considered for persistent cases.
