Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube, a Lower Pressure Challenge

Balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty has recently become a promising procedure for the treatment of refractory dilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.

Eustachian tube (ET) comprises an osseous intratemporal portion and a cartilaginous nasopharyngeal portion. It functions in pressure equalization, middle ear protection and clearance. Eustachian tube function can be adversely affected by viral and bacterial infections, adenoid disease, craniofacial anomalies, neoplasm, genetic predisposition, sinonasal disease and gastroesophageal reflux, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction. Eustachian tuboplasty by balloon dilation involves the recanalization of the cartilaginous portion of the ET via the nasopharynx with a balloon catheter. This catheter is inflated to multiple atmospheres of pressure for a short amount of time and then removed.

The surgical technique, the optimal balloon diameter, pressure or duration of inflation are variable in the literature.

Even though the current data shows promising results and a potential benefit of this procedure, further evaluation is still needed in order to establish a higher level of evidence of efficacy and safety.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty

Detailed Description

Balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty has recently become a promising procedure for the treatment of refractory dilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.

Eustachian tube (ET) comprises an osseous intratemporal portion and a cartilaginous nasopharyngeal portion. It functions in pressure equalization, middle ear protection and clearance. Eustachian tube function can be adversely affected by viral and bacterial infections, adenoid disease, craniofacial anomalies, neoplasm, genetic predisposition, sinonasal disease and gastroesophageal reflux, leading to Eustachian tube dysfunction.

it is now well known that the site of pathology is usually in the cartilaginous portion and not within the osseus portion.

Chronic dilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube is estimated to be 1% of the adult population. Current medical and surgical treatment options for this pathophysiological disorder is still unsatisfactory, including nasal decongestants, topical and systematic corticosteroids, antihistamines and multiple insertions of ventilation tubes leading to complications.

ET dysfunction can lead to impaired quality of life due to persistent sensation of ear fullness, ear pain and inability to tolerate air travel, diving or other activities. With time, Eustachian tube dysfunction, if left untreated can lead to complications such as conductive hearing loss and cholesteatoma formation. Recently, numerous researches have investigated the role of balloon tuboplasty. This procedure aims to ventilate and drain the middle ear by improving the physiological function of the eustachian tube and treating chronic refractory eustachian tube dysfunction.

Eustachian tuboplasty by balloon dilation involves the recanalization of the cartilaginous portion of the ET via the nasopharynx with a balloon catheter. This catheter is inflated to multiple atmospheres of pressure for a short amount of time and then removed.

The surgical technique, the optimal balloon diameter, pressure or duration of inflation are variable in the literature.

Both cadaveric and clinical studies where done. Cadaveric studies revealed no evidence of fractures to the cartilaginous or bony lumen, and no damage to the internal carotid artery. Several clinical studies and many others that confirm the safety of eustachian tube balloon dilation and consider it as a potential solution for chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. A systematic review preformed in 2014 showed no adverse outcomes in 103 patients who had undergone balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube. Another more recent systematic review in 2016 that included nine prospective studies, describing 713 eustachian tube balloon dilations in 474 patients confirm the safety of eustachian tube balloon dilation.

In September 2016 the ACCLARENT AERA™ Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) and was permitted for marketing.

Even though the current data shows promising results and a potential benefit of this procedure, further evaluation is still needed in order to establish a higher level of evidence of efficacy and safety.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 10
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults (over 18 years) with a diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunction based on symptoms and abnor-mal tympanogram.
2. OME and/or TM atelectasis
3. Type B or C tympanograms
4. Inability to inflate middle ears by Valsalva maneuver.
5. Patients performed tympanocentesis and patients underwent tube insertion will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children less than 18 years old.
2. Patients with an active infection.
3. Patients with craniofacial abnormalities.
4. Pregnancy?

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction	Device: Balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty; Eustachian tuboplasty by balloon dilation involves the recanalization of the cartilaginous portion of the ET via the nasopharynx with a balloon catheter. This catheter is inflated to multiple atmospheres of pressure for a short amount of time and then removed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The change in eustachian tube function	Otoscopy	1,3,6 and 12 month post procedure

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): November 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): November 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): October 26, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 26, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 25, 2017
• Last Verified: October 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Dilatation, Pathologic
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0034-17

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes