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Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

230:
Patulous Eustachian Tube

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Patulous Eustachian Tube)
is not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     P.E.T.

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


In Patulous Eustachian Tube dysfunction, the eustachian tube abnormally
remains open constantly.  This results from reduced soft tissue mass around
this tube.  Symptoms of this disorder occur when the patient's head has been
erect for several hours.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Patulous Eustachian Tube dysfunction include a stopped-up feeling
in the ear, and their voice will sound unusually loud to them.  They may hear
a rushing or blowing sound on respiration without a loss of hearing.

In persons with this disorder, the eardrum moves in and out while the
patient is breathing though the nose with the mouth closed.

Causes

Patulous Eustachian Tube is caused by loss of soft tissue around the
eustachian tube, and by a lack of strength in the muscle which provides
tension to the eardrum (the m. tensor veli palatini).

The condition is often associated with recent weight loss, and with a
high concentration of estrogens in the blood due to pregnancy or medication.
Other causes of P.E.T. dysfunction are neuromuscular disorders such as
multiple sclerosis, poliomyelitis, Parkinson's disease and neurovascular
accident.  Adhesions and scarring of the pharyngeal recess and of the
posterior lip of the pharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube can also
result in the disorder.

Affected Population

Patulous Eustachian Tube is most prevalent in women who have had a
significant recent weight loss, in pregnant women, and in men and women who
have taken estrogens.

Related Disorders

Middle Ear Effusion is the chronic accumulation of thick fluid in the middle
ear.  Deafness, fullness and crackling noises in the ears can occur as a
result of this disorder.

Therapies:  Standard

Temporary relief for patients with Patulous Eustachian Tube can be obtained
by lying down or bending forward with the head between the knees.  Sniffing
can also provide momentary relief.

Therapies:  Investigational

Patulous Eustachian Tube dysfunction has been treated surgically by cutting
the hook around which the tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle passes
(pterygoid hamulotomy) combined with transposition or transection of the
tendon of this muscle.  Good results have been obtained in approximately 70%
of persons undergoing this procedure.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
April 1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Patulous Eustachian Tube, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     NIH/National Institute of Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
     (NIDCD)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5751