A Cross-sectional Study to Assess the Association Between Middle Ear Function and Sinonasal Infections
Background: Communication between the middle ear cavity and other organs, such as the nasopharynx and nasal cavity, is facilitated via the eustachian tube. Middle-ear illness is a frequent ailment caused by infection or blockage in the upper respiratory tract. Eustachian tube dysfunction has long be...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_741_24 |
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| Summary: | Background:
Communication between the middle ear cavity and other organs, such as the nasopharynx and nasal cavity, is facilitated via the eustachian tube. Middle-ear illness is a frequent ailment caused by infection or blockage in the upper respiratory tract. Eustachian tube dysfunction has long been considered a key contributor to middle ear difficulties. Nasal airway patency has long been considered a major factor in ear health.
Aim and Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sinonasal infections on the middle ear to enhance the understanding and management of the infections related to it.
Method:
A total of 50 patients, all over the age of 6, with confirmed sinonasal infections were selected for a study from the outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology at a tertiary care center in Pune, Maharashtra. The selection period spanned 15 months, from October 2022 to December 2023. The diagnosis was confirmed through clinical history, examination, imaging, and middle ear studies, including tympanometry and pure tone audiometry. The study has a few limitations. The sample size of 50 patients from a single center may limit generalizability, and the cross-sectional design restricts long-term observation. Subjective symptom reporting and diagnostic variability could impact reliability. Excluding certain patient groups and not accounting for comorbidities may also limit applicability. Additionally, technological variations and lack of follow-up hinder comprehensive assessment. Future research with larger, diverse populations and longitudinal designs could provide more robust and generalizable insights.
Results:
Out of 50 patients, 32 (64%) were males and 18 (36%) females. Most cases (60%) had a disease duration of ≤3 years, while 40% had a duration of >3 years. Aural fullness was the most common symptom (36%). Grade 1 tympanic membrane retraction was observed in maximum cases (48%). Pneumatized mastoids were present in 74%, and sclerosed mastoids in 26%. Tympanometry curves showed that 64% of cases had type A curves, with type B being rare (2%). Stapedial reflexes were present in 98%, and middle ear volumes were normal in 94%. Audiometry results indicated that 66% had normal hearing, while 34% had conductive hearing loss. There were significant associations found between the duration of sinusitis and various study parameters, including tympanic membrane retraction grades, mastoid cellularity, tympanometry curves, location of sinusitis in relation to type C curves, results of pure tone audiometry, location of sinusitis with relation to threshold elevation, period of sinusitis in relation to C-type tympanometry curves, and mastoid cellularity with relation to type C curves (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The study reveals that middle ear dysfunction increases with the severity and prolonged duration of paranasal sinus disease. The extent of the lesion and length of the disease course correlate with greater middle ear damage, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management of sinusitis to prevent long-term complications in middle ear function. |
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| ISSN: | 2589-8302 2589-8310 |