A Study on Kampo Treatment for Patulous Eustachian Tube

Abstract

Various treatments are used for patients with a patulous eustachian tube. Most reports of oral treatments in Japan refer to the use of Kampo medicines. We assessed the effects of Kampo treatment for a patulous eustachian tube.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey of 22 patients with a patulous eustachian tube who received treatment with Kampo medicines from August 2014 to June 2020. We prescribed Kampo medicine for 2 to 4 weeks initially, and then continued the medicine or changed the type of Kampo medicine, depending on the condition.

Results: The patients ranged in age from 26 to 85 years, with average of 64.0 years; there were 7 males and 15 females. In regard to the subjective symptoms, all 22 patients (100%) complained of autophonia, 21 patients (95%) complained of aural fullness, and 9 patients (41%) complained of hearing their own breath sounds. All the patients showed improvement of the symptoms with changes in the body position. Respiratory tympanic membrane sway was observed in 9 patients (41%). The Kampo medicine was effective in 19 patients (86%), and ineffective in 3 patients (14%). Of the cases in which it proved effective, 15 cases received kamikihito, 2 cases received byakkokaninjinto, and 1 case revieved goshajinkigan and kamishoyosan.

Conclusion: Treatment with a Kampo medicine was effective in 86% of cases with a patulous eustachian tube. In particular, kamikihito was effective in 68% of cases, and is considered as a first-line treatment agent. If this medicine proves ineffective, the response rate can be improved by selecting another Kampo medicine.