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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Posted on
Wed, 20 Apr 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 20 Apr 2016
Answered on
Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My ear still hurts.Could it be Eustachian tube disorder? I read about it online and it makes sense and I have many of the symptoms. The pain is usually accompanied by a feeling of fullness in my ear and when I use heat/ gargling, or something else the pain decreases when I start swallowing this liquid that I'm assuming is draining out of my ear through the Eustachian tube. Could the pain be due to congestion or accumulated fluid or mucus from past infections?
Brief Answer:
ETD is a common problem.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, whatever the source of the infection (including ETD), most ears are dry after routine medication.
2. For persisting infections, inflammation or pain, investigations as mentioned in my previous answers help resolve the issue.
3. Upload the test results suggested earlier for an accurate assessment.
4. intravenous medication helps resolve the infections more quickly.
5. It is not clearly mentioned whether you have had ear surgery or not.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
ETD is a common problem.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, whatever the source of the infection (including ETD), most ears are dry after routine medication.
2. For persisting infections, inflammation or pain, investigations as mentioned in my previous answers help resolve the issue.
3. Upload the test results suggested earlier for an accurate assessment.
4. intravenous medication helps resolve the infections more quickly.
5. It is not clearly mentioned whether you have had ear surgery or not.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I have never had ear surgery.
These were my test results from about a year ago.(I haven't had any other exam since then):
CT
Temporal Bones
Axial scans of the temporal bone were acquired using a high-resolution bone technique without IV contrast. Coronal reformatted images were performed.
Indication: Perforation of tympanic membrane
Comparison: None
Findings:
Right temporal bone:
The right tympanic membrane is mildly thickened. The external auditory canal is unremarkable. The ossicles are intact and unremarkable. The mastoid air cells are well aerated. The petrous apex is partially pneumatized. The semicircular canal is
unremarkable without evidence of dehiscence. The cochlea is unremarkable. The internal auditory canal is unremarkable. The tegmen tympani is intact without evidence of dehiscence. The right temporal mandibular joint is unremarkable. There is no evidence
of soft tissue mass. The scutum is sharp.
Left temporal bone:
There is a high right and left jugular vein. No thickening of the tympanic membrane. The external auditory canal is unremarkable. The ossicles are intact and unremarkable. The mastoid air cells are well aerated and the petrous apex is partially
pneumatized. The semicircular canal is unremarkable without evidence of dehiscence. The cochlea is unremarkable. The internal auditory canals unremarkable. The tegmen tympani is intact without evidence of dehiscence. The left TMJ is unremarkable. There
is no evidence of soft tissue mass. The scutum is sharp.
No abnormality of the facial nerve canal bilaterally.
.
Impression:
1. Mild thickening of the right tympanic membrane which may represent inflammatoty change or prior infection. Otherwise, unremarkable evaluation of bilateral temporal bones.
2. No abnormal soft tissue in the middle ear bilaterally.
These were my test results from about a year ago.(I haven't had any other exam since then):
CT
Temporal Bones
Axial scans of the temporal bone were acquired using a high-resolution bone technique without IV contrast. Coronal reformatted images were performed.
Indication: Perforation of tympanic membrane
Comparison: None
Findings:
Right temporal bone:
The right tympanic membrane is mildly thickened. The external auditory canal is unremarkable. The ossicles are intact and unremarkable. The mastoid air cells are well aerated. The petrous apex is partially pneumatized. The semicircular canal is
unremarkable without evidence of dehiscence. The cochlea is unremarkable. The internal auditory canal is unremarkable. The tegmen tympani is intact without evidence of dehiscence. The right temporal mandibular joint is unremarkable. There is no evidence
of soft tissue mass. The scutum is sharp.
Left temporal bone:
There is a high right and left jugular vein. No thickening of the tympanic membrane. The external auditory canal is unremarkable. The ossicles are intact and unremarkable. The mastoid air cells are well aerated and the petrous apex is partially
pneumatized. The semicircular canal is unremarkable without evidence of dehiscence. The cochlea is unremarkable. The internal auditory canals unremarkable. The tegmen tympani is intact without evidence of dehiscence. The left TMJ is unremarkable. There
is no evidence of soft tissue mass. The scutum is sharp.
No abnormality of the facial nerve canal bilaterally.
.
Impression:
1. Mild thickening of the right tympanic membrane which may represent inflammatoty change or prior infection. Otherwise, unremarkable evaluation of bilateral temporal bones.
2. No abnormal soft tissue in the middle ear bilaterally.
Brief Answer:
Upload images for a better assessment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Upload a few images (with the help of your radiologist) of the CT Scan for an accurate assessment.
2. The ear drum examination findings are important here. Try and get clear endoscopic images of your eardrums recorded and upload them here. Most clinics will have an endoscopic camera. You can also take an image directly from the monitor screen.
Regards.
Upload images for a better assessment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Upload a few images (with the help of your radiologist) of the CT Scan for an accurate assessment.
2. The ear drum examination findings are important here. Try and get clear endoscopic images of your eardrums recorded and upload them here. Most clinics will have an endoscopic camera. You can also take an image directly from the monitor screen.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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