Publication:

Transnasal endoscopic eustachian tube balloon dilation: a review

Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction is a common clinical entity which often provides challenges to Otorhinolaryngologists. Patients with ET dysfunction typically present with fullness in the ear, hearing loss or plugging in the ear, which impair quality of the life. It can lead to cholesteatoma formation and severe morbidity in the life. There are limited treatment options for ET dysfunction in clinical practice. Presently transnasal endoscopic balloon dilation of ET is a promising treatment for its dysfunction. This technique causes inflation of a balloon in the cartilaginous portion of the ET which leads to local dilation. This procedure helps in reduction of the clinical symptoms and reduces the severity of the ET dysfunction such as hearing loss and cholesteatoma formation. This review article will discuss the effectiveness of transnasal endoscopic balloon dilatation of eustachian tube for treatment of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.