Can an MRI Find ETD? Balloon Dilation?

[Hotaru]

How exactly can I determine that I have it? And has anyone tried balloon dilation?

 

[Aaron123]

Patient history and tympanometry which is frequently done as part of a hearing test.

Diagnosis
Smith and Tysome reviewed Tests of the ET in 2015 (Smith and Tysome, 2015). They concluded that "Currently, no single test could be considered a 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of ET dysfunction".

Practically, ETD is diagnosed by talking to the patient, and identifying symptoms that clear with manipulation of the ET, such as by "popping" the ear.

A ETD questionnaire was developed in 2014 called the EDTQ-7 (Schroder et al, 2014). We are dubious that a questionnaire is needed for this simple diagnosis. Van Roeyen et al (2015) reported that the ETDQ-7 was unable to distriminate between obstructive ET dysfunction and patulous ET. The questionnaire had good discriminant validity for ETD vs. healthy controls.

Formal measurement of ET function
Eustachian tube function can be evaluated formally by the process of measuring pressure in the ear using tympanometry, documenting that it is different than 0, then having the person attempt to open up their ET, and then measuring it again. If pressure changes, then the ET opened. If it didn't, either the pressure was normal to start with, or the tube didn't open.

from http://dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/unilat/etd.htm

You could see about a myringotomy with or without tubes. That will tell you if pain/pressure is related to ETD.

 

[Hotaru]

I think I've gotten a tympanometry, but I guess they didn't find anything. I always end up going to the doctor when my symptoms aren't acting up.

 

[tinnitube]

How exactly can I determine that I have it? And has anyone tried balloon dilation?

mainly on physical findings . very simmple ; you feel sometimes your ears clogged and making valsalva make it dissapear but then returns ? this , during the last few days or weeks . if yes . then probably youve got it . try steroids . no need for image tests .

 

[Hotaru]

mainly on physical findings . very simmple ; you feel sometimes your ears clogged and making valsalva make it dissapear but then returns ? this , during the last few days or weeks . if yes . then probably youve got it . try steroids . no need for image tests .

Already tried steroids, didn't help. Tried valsalva, steaming, tea, all that stuff, and nothing helped. Am-101 made it worse. I am looking for a permanent solution.

 

[just1morething]

The nuerotologist I seen said to try a tube in your ear before a balloon procedure. You have to be put under to have the balloon procedure done. I used Sudafed (behind the counter) to open mine up along with a EarPopper last time.

 

[Hotaru]

The nuerotologist I seen said to try a tube in your ear before a balloon procedure. You have to be put under to have the balloon procedure done. I used Sudafed (behind the counter) to open mine up along with a EarPopper last time.

I can't keep water out of my ears so tubes aren't really a good idea for me. Even with earplugs. I will gladly go under for a procedure. I'm just tired of these short-term maybe it' ll go away for now solutions. I did that with tmj and now it's back. The retainer is not helping anymore. When I was a kid, I should have gotten jaw- alignment surgery.

 

[tinnitube]

Already tried steroids, didn't help. Tried valsalva, steaming, tea, all that stuff, and nothing helped. Am-101 made it worse. I am looking for a permanent solution.

make sure you used potent ones , dexametasona or betametasona . Sometimes when given prednisone its not enough power . may I ask you which steroid you use ?

 

[Nonna]

I can't keep water out of my ears so tubes aren't really a good idea for me. Even with earplugs. I will gladly go under for a procedure. I'm just tired of these short-term maybe it' ll go away for now solutions. I did that with tmj and now it's back. The retainer is not helping anymore. When I was a kid, I should have gotten jaw- alignment surgery.

Are you doing the balloon? I know two people who had their eustachian tubes drained from the throat. And they are happy.