Autologous fat grafting for the refractory patulous eustachian tube

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003 Jan;128(1):88-91. doi: 10.1067/mhn.2003.34.

Abstract

The patulous eustachian tube (pET) presents a challenging management problem. Patients with the pET disorder are disturbed to the point of mental illness by their symptoms of aural fullness and autophony, especially the echo of their own voice. Thus far, described treatment methods are often temporary or ineffective. Here, we describe a minimally invasive method for the treatment of pET that involves cauterization with autologous fat graft plugging of the ET at its nasopharyngeal orifice, in conjunction with myringotomy and ventilation tube placement. This procedure has been successful for the treatment of refractory pET in 2 patients at the House Ear Clinic with at least 1-year follow-up and we propose that it may accomplish relief of symptoms by permanent stenosis of the ET.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Impedance Tests
  • Adipose Tissue / transplantation*
  • Adult
  • Audiometry
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Ear Diseases / diagnosis
  • Ear Diseases / surgery*
  • Eustachian Tube / physiopathology
  • Eustachian Tube / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle Ear Ventilation / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tissue Transplantation / methods
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tympanic Membrane / physiopathology
  • Tympanic Membrane / surgery*