Valsalva computed tomography in visualization of Eustachian tube in
patients with patulous Eustachian tube
Abstract
Abstract Objectives: There is no study in the literature that patients
with clinically-proven PET were evaluated by Valsalva CT. We aimed to
evaluate the merit of Valsalva computed tomography (CT) in patients who
had clinically-proven patulous Eustachian tube (PET). Design:
Case-series Setting and participants: We recruited patients with
clinically-proven PET. Participants: Main outcome measures: All
participants underwent temporal bone CTs while they were performing the
Valsalva maneuver in the supine position. Standard axial plane CT
images, along with multiplanar reconstruction and 3D Air volume
rendering, were used to visualize the ET in its entirety. Results: Three
patients (2 females, one male) with a total of 6 ears were included in
the study. All patients had suggestive symptoms of PET, including aural
fullness, aerophony, and autophony and underwent clinical examination
and audiologic tests. In all ears, the whole Eustachian tube could be
visualized with Valsalva CT. Conclusion: For the first time, we
demonstrated the merit of Valsalva CT in visualization of the Eustachian
tube in its entirety in patients with clinically diagnosed PET.