Impact of Xylomethazoline on Eustachian Tube Function in Healthy Participants

Abstract

We conclude that xylomethazoline might only have a minor effect during active and passive middle ear pressure equalization. Larger cohorts and targeted application of decongestants should be tested to confirm these preliminary data and to find new evidence on the effects of decongestants.

Reliability of Eustachian tube function measurements in a hypobaric and hyperbaric pressure chamber

“…Measurements were performed in hypobaric and hyperbaric environments. The pressure was set between 0.8 bar and 1.2 bar as established in different studies before …”

“…The test protocol contained phases of decompression (1 bar‐0.8 bar and 1.2 bar‐1 bar) and compression (0.8 bar‐1.2 bar). We described the utilised standard protocol in detail in former publications (Figure ) …”

“…In healthy persons, the ET is closed . While openings of the ET physiologically happen passively during pressure decompression (for example, when emerging after a dive or ascent in an airplane, in phases of pressure compression for example, when landing in an airplane or descending during a dive), pressure equalisation has to be performed actively induced by swallowing or via the Valsalva manoeuvre …”

“…Other simple tests have existed for decades to screen for ET dysfunction (Valsalva Test, Toynbee Test). However, none of these tests were able to replicate the exact physiology of the ET function, and hence, none achieved gold standard status …”

“…Nonetheless, as pressure chambers are costly and time‐consuming, these devices do not enjoy widespread use. Systematic studies for the validation of passive and active induced pressure equalisation were performed on healthy participants in a hypobaric and combined hyperbaric and hypobaric pressure chambers …”