Theme: Paediatric Otology
Introduction
Eustachian tube balloon dilatation is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). Although widely adopted in adults, its use within paediatric patients remains limited with no UK-based published series. Eustachian tube balloon dilatation may be indicated in children with persistent otological symptoms despite conventional management. This project aimed to evaluate the outcomes of balloon dilatation for ETD in children treated at our tertiary ENT paediatric unit.
Methods
This was a retrospective review of paediatric patients treated with eustachian tube balloon dilatation over a 3-year period. Patient reported-outcomes scores using the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) were recorded pre-operatively and at 6 weeks and 3 months post-operatively.
Results
16 patients underwent balloon dilatation for ETD with a mean age of 13 years. 46% of patients underwent concurrent procedures including turbinate reduction, adenoidectomy and septoplasty. The most frequently reported symptoms were popping of ears and nasal obstruction. The mean ETDQ-7 score pre-operatively was 27.1. All patients experienced an improvement in their ETDQ-7 score at 6-weeks post-operatively, including those with a history of cleft palate repair who had undergone repeated ventilation tube insertion previously. There was a statistically significant improvement (p<0.0001) in ETDQ-7 scores at both 6 weeks (mean 12.4) and 3 months (mean 11.25) post operatively.
Conclusion
This project demonstrated significant improvements in patient reported outcome measures post-operatively following balloon dilatation for ETD. To the authors knowledge, this is the first series of paediatric eustachian tube balloon dilatation presented in a UK cohort.