The effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction

Background: The symptom of eustachian tube dysfunction has been categorized as a "minor" symptoms in chronic rhinosinusitis. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the frequencey of otologic symptoms in patients with confirmed rhinosinusitis and the likelihood of its resolution in those patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: Questionnaires were obtained front 168 patients who had undergone prior ESS over a 5-year period. Patients were asked to evaluate if the they suffered from several different potential symptoms of eustachian tube disfunction before ESS and whether that symptom changed postoperatively. Results: Using the binomial test, 95% confidence intervals were determining for the following otologic symptoms of tubal dysfunction: "ear fullness and congestion" "ear cracking and popping, " dizziness, " and "ear pain," ESS was found to have a significant treatment effect for the indicated otologic symptoms of tubal dysfunction. Conclusion: Tabal dysfunction, as manifested by otologic symptoms, is common in patients with chronic rhinosinitsitis undergoing ESS. The classification of this as a "minor" symptom of rhinosinusitis needs to be reevaluated. These symptoms improve or resolve in the majority of patients undergoing ESS.