Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Treatment Outcomes.

Abstract

To examine the effectiveness of eustachian tube balloon dilation for the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A systematic review of eustachian tube balloon dilation for the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify randomized control trials and prospective and retrospective studies published prior to January 31, 2019. Meta-analysis of proportions evaluated 7-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ7) scores, tympanometry, otoscopy findings, and the ability to perform a Valsalva maneuver. The systematic review identified 35 studies. Twelve studies met inclusion for meta-analysis (448 patients). Mean ETDQ7 scores decreased by 2.13 from baseline to 6 weeks (95% CI, -3.02 to -1.24; <i>P</i> < .001). From baseline to 6 weeks, 53.0% of patients had improvement in tympanograms (<i>P</i> < .001). At the long-term point (3-12 months), 50.5% of patients had improved tympanograms from baseline (<i>P</i> < .001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of improved tympanograms at 6 weeks compared to long term (<i>P</i> = .535). Normal otoscopy exams at baseline increased by 30.0% at 6 weeks (<i>P</i> < .001) and 55.4% in the long term (<i>P</i> < .001). There was a 67.8% increase in proportion of patients able to perform a Valsalva maneuver in the long term compared to baseline (<i>P</i> < .001). Eustachian tube balloon dilation appears to be associated with improvement in subjective and objective treatment outcome metrics. The improvement appears stable at 3 to 12 months after dilation. Patients with eustachian tube dysfunction are likely to benefit from balloon dilation, particularly those with medication-refractory disease.