ACCLARENT AERA™ Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System
Description of Disease State:
The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube which links the back of the nose to the middle ear. It is normally closed but opens when we swallow, yawn or chew. It has three main functions: to protect the middle ear from sources of disease, to ventilate the middle ear, and to help drain secretions away from the middle ear.
Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is the inability of the Eustachian tube to adequately perform these functions and failure of the valve of the Eustachian tube to open and/or close properly ETD (Eustachian tube dysfunction) is estimated to effect up to 5% of the adult population.
Symptoms and causes:
- Normally, the Eustachian tubes are working properly so you don’t notice them at all.
- Anything that prevents the tube from opening can cause Eustachian tube dysfunction.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction may occur when the mucosal lining of the tube is swollen, or does not open or close properly. It can occur after the start of a cold and other nose, sinus, ear and throat infections.
When they are not working properly, the patient can possibly feel the following symptoms: muffled hearing, fullness of the ear, pain in the ear, inability to equilibrate middle ear (ME) pressure, tinnitus, and dizziness.
Complications from untreated ETD:
- Persistent Eustachian Tube Dysfunction can be associated with several serious conditions.
- Long-term ETD has been associated with damage to the middle ear and the eardrum.
- Otitis media with effusion, atelectasis of the ME, adhesive otitis, perforation of eardrum and Cholestetoma.
