Relationship between nasal polyposis and Eustachian tube function

Abstract
Background
No previous study investigated the relationship between different stages and duration of nasal polyposis (NP) and Eustachian tube (ET) functions. Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between the NP and ET functions by studying different staging and duration of the NP. The study included adult patients with bilateral NP. The tridimensional endoscopic staging of the NP was performed to provide information on the location of the NP within the nasal cavity in the three dimensions; horizontal, vertical, and anteroposterior planes. Tympanometry was performed 1 day before endoscopic staging, and the tympanometric results were distinguished into 3 grades; type A, normal curve; type C; and type B.

Results
Within 40 patients (80 nasal cavities, 80 ears), tympanometry showed type A curve in 48 ears (60%), type B curve in 14 ears (17.5%), and type C in 18 ears (22.5%). So, NP was associated with 40% ET affection with non-significant differences with different NP stages at the horizontal plan (P=0.989567), at the vertical plan (P=0.666), and at the anteroposterior plane (P=0.628). While ET affection (ET dysfunction or OME) was reported significantly more with NP of longer duration (P<0.0001).

Conclusion
NP is associated with a high ET dysfunction rate that is significantly higher with NP of longer duration, while different NP stages did not significantly differ in affecting the ET function.