Endoscopic Evaluation of Pharyngeal End of Eustachian Tube and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms Score Among Adult Patients

Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction is central to Otitis Media with Effusion which may occur because of poor ET functions. Nasal endoscopy gives a direct visualization of the pharyngeal orifice of the ET and has the ability to establish, diagnose and assess various pathological causes of ETD. This study addressed gap in knowledge by determining the symptoms scores, endoscopic grading of ET and tympanometric findings among participants. Methodology: This is a hospital based cross-sectional study. Written informed consent was taken and a study proforma was used to record information from the assessment of recruited individuals. Clinical assessment, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire, ENT examination, tympanometry and nasal endoscopy were carried out. The two grading systems (mucosal inflammatory endoscopic grading and the 3ET endoscopic assessment of the pharyngeal end of the ET) was used to assess the pharyngeal end of the ET orifice. The data collected was analyzed and depicted using prose, tables, and chart. Results: A total of 54 participants with male to female ratio of 1:1.8 and mean age of 49.98 years ± 19.179. ETDQ-7 was abnormal in 28 (51.9%) of participants. There was a statistically significant difference between ETDQ-7 and tympanometry results. Thirty-five (64.8%) participants were diagnosed with Otitis Media with Effusion while others had Chronic Rhinosinusitis. The relationship between endoscopic grading and tympanometry report was statistically significant. Conclusion: Combination of the ETDQ-7 scores, endoscopic grading and tympanometry will give a more reliable report of the ET status among patients with OME and CRS.