ENTtoday
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • Practice Focus
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Departments
    • Issue Archive
    • TRIO Best Practices
      • Allergy
      • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
      • Head and Neck
      • Laryngology
      • Otology/Neurotology
      • Pediatric
      • Rhinology
      • Sleep Medicine
    • Career Development
    • Case of the Month
    • Everyday Ethics
    • Health Policy
    • Legal Matters
    • Letter From the Editor
    • Medical Education
    • Online Exclusives
    • Practice Management
    • Resident Focus
    • Rx: Wellness
    • Special Reports
    • Tech Talk
    • Viewpoint
    • What’s Your O.R. Playlist?
  • Literature Reviews
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Events
    • Featured Events
    • TRIO Meetings
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Triological Society
    • Advertising Staff
    • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Place an Ad
    • Classifieds
    • Rate Card
  • Search

Nasal Decongestants Improve Nasal Airflow, but Not Eustachian Tube Function

by Larry Lundy, MD • October 14, 2016

  • Tweet
  • Email
Print-Friendly Version

Do topical nasal decongestants really improve Eustachian tube function?

Bottom Line
Nasal decongestants as a single treatment modality certainly improve nasal airflow, but objective data supporting improved Eustachian tube function is lacking.

You Might Also Like

  • Is There Help for the Eustachian Tube?
  • Can We Use the Status of One Ear to Predict Eustachian Tube Function of the Contralateral Ear?
  • Eustachian Tube Scores Effective Diagnostic Tools for Chronic Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
  • Inferior Turbinate Surgery No Better than Placebo in Treating Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Explore This Issue
October 2016

Background: Commonly accepted clinical practice includes using nasal decongestant spray to alleviate, or prevent, Eustachian tube dysfunction associated with airline flights. Also, spray nasal decongestants are frequently recommended for acute otitis media or serous otitis media, especially if the condition is associated with an upper respiratory tract infection.

Study design: Prospective, non-randomized study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center in Germany.

Synopsis: Xylometazoline (very similar to oxymetazoline in the U.S.) was used as a nasal spray in patients with an intact tympanic membrane, with pre- and post-treatment (15 minutes) rhinomanometry and tube manometry measures. Patients with a perforated tympanic membrane were also assessed, with nasal spray delivery as well as direct application of the decongestant through the tympanic membrane perforation into the middle ear. None of the patients showed any significant improvement in opening of the Eustachian tube. The authors recognize that the 15-minute interval between applying the decongestant and measuring Eustachian tube function may not assess longer interval potential effectiveness.

Reference: Ovari A, Buhr A, Warkentin M, Kundt G, Ehrt K, Pau HW. Can nasal decongestants improve Eustachian tube function? Otol Neurotol. 2015;36:65–69.

Filed Under: Literature Reviews, Otology/Neurotology Tagged With: eustachian tube, nasal airflow, nasal decongestants, treatmentIssue: October 2016

You Might Also Like:

  • Is There Help for the Eustachian Tube?
  • Can We Use the Status of One Ear to Predict Eustachian Tube Function of the Contralateral Ear?
  • Eustachian Tube Scores Effective Diagnostic Tools for Chronic Obstructive Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
  • Inferior Turbinate Surgery No Better than Placebo in Treating Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

The Triological SocietyENTtoday is a publication of The Triological Society.

The Laryngoscope
Ensure you have all the latest research at your fingertips; Subscribe to The Laryngoscope today!

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
Open access journal in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery is currently accepting submissions.

Classifieds

View the classified ads »

TRIO Best Practices

View the TRIO Best Practices »

Top Articles for Residents

  • Do Training Programs Give Otolaryngology Residents the Necessary Tools to Do Productive Research?
  • Why More MDs, Medical Residents Are Choosing to Pursue Additional Academic Degrees
  • What Physicians Need to Know about Investing Before Hiring a Financial Advisor
  • Tips to Help You Regain Your Sense of Self
  • Should USMLE Step 1 Change from Numeric Score to Pass/Fail?
  • Popular this Week
  • Most Popular
  • Most Recent
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Vertigo in the Elderly: What Does It Mean?
    • Experts Delve into Treatment Options for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
    • Weaning Patients Off of PPIs
    • Some Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Resists PPI Treatment
    • Vertigo in the Elderly: What Does It Mean?
    • New Developments in the Management of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
    • Some Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Resists PPI Treatment
    • Eustachian Tuboplasty: A Potential New Option for Chronic Tube Dysfunction and Patulous Disease
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Did You Receive COVID-19 Relief? Here Are Reporting Considerations for 2021
    • Otolaryngology Experts Share Best Practices in Five Areas
    • How Climate Change May Be Affecting Sleep Patterns for Adults and Children
    • Laryngologists Discuss Tough Tracheostomy Choices During COVID-19 Era
    • Head and Neck Cancer: Experts Discuss How to Improve Surgery Quality and Value

Polls

Did you receive funding from the CARES Act or Paycheck Protection Program?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Visit: The Triological Society • The Laryngoscope • Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

Wiley
© 2021 The Triological Society. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN 1559-4939

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.