Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 15, Issue 10 673-678, Copyright © 1996 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Anatomy of the eustachian tube as demonstrated by endoluminal ultrasonography
G. Helweg, F. Frauscher, G. M. Sprinzl, T. Gotwald, C. Volklein, R. J. Knapp, P. F. Sogner, H. Maurer, T. E. Frede and D. zur Nedden
Clinical Department of Radiology II, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Using a new application of the endoluminal approach, we were able to
demonstrate the sonographic anatomy of the eustachian tube in vitro and in
vivo and correlate it with the plastic-embedded specimen. Five adult
normocephalic cadavers, two patients, and one specimen especially prepared
for embedding in plastic were examined. A specifically developed device was
used to insert the ultrasound transducer employing an endo-oral approach.
The investigation was performed using an intravascular ultrasound unit. In
all cases the tube could be visualized in its entirety and relevant
anatomic structures identified and compared with the specimen at the
corresponding levels. The deeper layers, including the paratubal structures
and the mucosa, could be distinguished for the first time by means of
endoluminal ultrasonography. Now that endoluminal ultrasonography has
revealed this anatomic information, further studies will be able to gauge
the clinical efficacy of our method in cases of ventilatory, drainage, and
clearance problems. The images showed no difference between the structures
in vitro and in vivo, and the vivo examination was even easier than the in
vitro one owing to better tissue turgor.
