Resumo

FINKELSTEIN K, Andrés  e  CARO L, Jorge. Auditory tube dysfunction update: Role of nasal endoscopy in its evaluation and treatment. Rev. Otorrinolaringol. Cir. Cabeza Cuello [online]. 2008, vol.68, n.1, pp. 59-66. ISSN 0718-4816.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-48162008000100009.

Auditory tube dysfunction is one of the most studied middie ear diseases. Among its proposed risk factors, the etiologic role of allergic rhinitis, gastrolaryngeal reflux and tobacco smoke has not been demonstrated yet in clinical trials. In the last few years, endoscopic visualization of the nasopharyngeal end of the auditory tube became a new tool to evaluate this structure, particularly in association to slow motion video recordings. These techniques have shown that in most cases, the alterations seem to be functional rather than anatomic or obstructive. In addition, endoscopic evaluation has encouraged the development of new surgical techniques based on the resection of the posterior cushion of the torus tubarius, with the use of a laser or a microdebrider In the future, nasal endoscopy could have an important role in the evaluation and management of auditory tube dysfunction. However, the ideal candidates for these procedures are yet to be established

Palavras-chave : Auditory tube dysfunction; Eustachian tube; nasal endoscopy; microdebrider; laser.