Ear Pain After Breathing Oxygen at Altitude: Prevalence and Prevention of Delayed Barotrauma

Landolfi, Angelo; Autore, Alberto; Torchia, Francesco; Appiani, Mario Ciniglio; Morgagni, Fabio; Appiani, Giuseppe Ciniglio

doi:10.3357/asem.2606.2010

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…However, after completion of an HBOT session, patients would be subject to ME underaeration by progressive absorption of O 2 of the tympanic cavity, because this gas diffuses easily into the systemic circulation and is consumed locally before its place in the ME is filled by inhaled nitrogen (N 2 ). 2 40 As tubal function would be compromised by the reflex arc of systemic hyperoxia, transient pressure equalization efforts would be ineffective after a few hours, leading to the tympanic retraction and leakage into TM and/or ME, causing delayed MEB.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on Middle Ear Barotrauma after Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy—Insights on Pathophysiology

Lima

Farage

Cury

et al. 2014

Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol.

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Introduction Middle ear barotrauma is the most common side effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Knowledge and understanding of its pathophysiology are crucial for an accurate diagnosis and proper decision making about treatment and prevention. Objective Describe up-to-date information on pathophysiology of middle ear barotrauma after hyperbaric oxygen therapy considering the physiology of pressure variation of the middle ear. Data Synthesis Middle ear barotrauma occurs especially during the compression phase of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The hyperoxic environment in hyperbaric oxygen therapy leads to ventilatory dysfunction of the eustachian tube, especially in monoplace chambers, where the patients are pressurized with 100% O2, favoring middle ear barotrauma. Conclusion The eustachian tube, the tympanic cavity, and mastoid work together in a neural controlled feedback system in which various mechanisms concur for middle ear pressure regulation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%