[Bilateral Eustachian tube dilation in infants: an alternative treatment for persistent middle ear functional dysfunction]

Abstract

Balloon dilation has become established as a novel method for managing chronic ventilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. This treatment has so far not been used in children. This article presents the first case of a pediatric patient who required antibiotics for recurrent middle ear infections and was successfully treated with Eustachian tube dilation. After a single dilation the patient was almost free of symptoms. Further studies are required in order to establish this treatment in the management of children with recurrent ventilatory dysfunction of the Eustachian tube which does not respond to conventional therapy and to define existing and potential new indications for this treatment approach.