Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and safety of balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) as an option for treatment of patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A cadaveric study of 5 temporal human bones was performed. Each bone underwent transnasal balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) with computed tomography and post-dilation histology. The procedure involved the dilation of the cartilaginous and bony portion of the Eustachian tube with a balloon catheter.

RESULTS

BET is technically easy to perform. No damage to essential structures, particularly the carotid canal, was found.

CONCLUSION

This newly introduced method seems to be a feasible and safe procedure to dilate the Eustachian tube.