Sinonasal Inflammatory Burden on Computed Tomography in Adults With Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: A Case-Control Study

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) frequently coexist, yet objective data quantifying their relationship remain scarce. Because both conditions can reflect shared mucosal inflammation, we investigated whether adults with objectively verified ETD harbor a larger paranasal sinus inflammatory burden on computed tomography (CT) than controls, and whether this burden varies by drainage...

Audiologists should be aware that obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction may co-occur with significant sinonasal inflammatory burden; however, this case-control study does not yet support changes to audiological practice — referral pathways to ENT for patients with both conditions warrant attention.

Understanding the relationship between sinonasal inflammation and Eustachian tube dysfunction could improve interdisciplinary management of patients presenting with middle-ear pressure complaints alongside chronic sinus disease.

1. 01Case-control design quantified CT-measured sinonasal inflammation in adults with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
2. 02Chronic rhinosinusitis co-occurring with ETD was the focus population, highlighting a potentially undertreated overlap condition.
3. 03CT imaging was used as the objective measure of sinonasal inflammatory burden.
4. 04Findings may support earlier ENT referral for ETD patients presenting with sinonasal symptoms.
5. 05Published in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology (DOI: 10.1002/lio2.70496).

PMID

42427921

DOI

10.1002/lio2.70496.

Journal

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Adults with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction and co-occurring chronic rhinosinusitis, compared to controls

Intervention

CT-based quantification of sinonasal inflammatory burden

Comparator

Adults without obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction