Mechanical obstruction of the eustachian tube by the benign tumor of the parapharyngeal space does not cause otitis media with effusion.

OBJECTIVE

We are reporting on eustachian tube and middle ear pathologic findings in patients with parapharyngeal tumors.

PATIENTS: Eleven cases of eustachian tube involvement as indicated by obstruction due to compression of the tumor were assessed in this study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each patient underwent otoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, a pure-tone hearing test, impedance audiometry, and sonotubometry.

RESULTS

All of the tumors were diagnosed benign according to the histologic examination. In 9 of the 11 patients, the pharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube narrowed or was blocked by the tumor. None of the patients showed any response on the tumor side in the sonotubometry. Therefore, gas exchange was prevented through the eustachian tube by the tumor; however, they also showed an intact tympanic membrane and normal hearing tests.

CONCLUSION

According to our data, if there is drainage of middle ear fluid through the eustachian tube and the exchange of gas in the middle ear is preserved, otitis media with effusion will not occur even in cases such as these.