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Study of the auditory tube by ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m

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Abstract

The two essential regulating mechanisms of the middle ear pressure are the trans-mucosal gas exchange in the middle ear and the ventilation function of the eustachian tube (ET). The physiological mechanism of these both functions is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the ET pressure equilibrium function by ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m. The rabbit animal model in vivo was used to study the presence and role of the ventilation of the tympanic cavity via auditory tube. The obtained results did not show any ventilation function of the ET despite active opening by muscle movement. In our experience, ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m is not a reliable method to study the auditory tube pressure equilibrium function in physiological conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This study was performed as part of DEA “Biomorphologie Quantitative, Variabilité de la Forme Humaine”, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University Rene Descartes, Paris V, France. We thank Dr. Jean- François Pouget, Department of Radiology, Mutualist Clinic, St-Etienne, France and Mr. Yves Boyer from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Saint-Etienne, France, for their assistance in this study. The experiments described in this manuscript comply with the current laws of the country according to which they were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d’Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, Université Jean Monnet, 15 rue Ambroise Paré, 42023, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France

    Andrei P. Timoshenko & Jean-Michel Prades

  2. Service d’Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie, de Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale et Plastique, Hôpital Bellevue, CHU de Saint-Etienne, 42055, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France

    Andrei P. Timoshenko, Christian Martin & Jean-Michel Prades

  3. Laboratoire Physiologie, Unité PPEH (EA 3062), Faculté de Médecine Jacques Lisfranc, Université Jean Monnet, 15 rue Ambroise Paré, 42023, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France

    Christian Denis

  4. Service de Médecine Nucléaire, Hôpital Bellevue, CHU de Saint-Etienne, 42055, Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France

    Francis Dubois

Authors
  1. Andrei P. Timoshenko
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  2. Christian Denis
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  3. Francis Dubois
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  4. Christian Martin
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  5. Jean-Michel Prades
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Correspondence to Andrei P. Timoshenko.

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Timoshenko, A.P., Denis, C., Dubois, F. et al. Study of the auditory tube by ventilation scintigraphy with technetium-99m. Surg Radiol Anat 27, 482–486 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0030-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0030-7

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