Development and Preliminary Evaluation of an Endoscopic Eustachian Tube Orifice Patency Score (ETOPS): A Pilot Study.

Q3 Medicine

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Pub Date : 2026-01-01 DOI:10.22038/ijorl.2026.96623.4176

Regin William

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a common condition that can lead to middle ear disorders and significantly affect quality of life. This study aimed to develop a novel Endoscopic Eustachian Tube Orifice Patency Score (ETOPS) and explore its potential relationship with ETD.

Materials and methods: In this prospective observational study, 40 adult patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ETD underwent diagnostic nasal endoscopy using a 70° endoscope. The Eustachian tube nasopharyngeal orifice was graded using the newly proposed ETOPS. ETOPS values were compared with ETDQ-7 symptom scores and tympanometric findings.

Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between ETOPS and ETDQ-7 scores (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). Inter-observer reliability was good (ICC = 0.89). Patients with Type B and Type C tympanograms demonstrated significantly higher ETOPS values than those with Type A tympanograms (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The proposed ETOPS may serve as a simple and reproducible endoscopic grading system for evaluating Eustachian tube dysfunction. Further validation using real patient data is required to establish its clinical utility.

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内镜下咽鼓管口通畅评分（ETOPS）的开发和初步评估：一项试点研究。

耳咽管功能障碍（ETD）是一种常见的疾病，可导致中耳疾病，并显著影响生活质量。本研究旨在建立一种新的内镜下咽鼓管口通畅评分（ETOPS），并探讨其与ETD的潜在关系。材料和方法：在这项前瞻性观察研究中，40名出现ETD症状的成年患者使用70°鼻内窥镜进行了诊断性鼻内窥镜检查。使用新提出的ETOPS对咽鼓管鼻咽口进行分级。将ETOPS值与ETDQ-7症状评分和鼓室测量结果进行比较。结果：ETOPS与ETDQ-7评分呈显著正相关（r = 0.74, p < 0.001）。观察者间信度良好（ICC = 0.89）。B型和C型鼓膜造影患者的ETOPS值明显高于A型鼓膜造影患者（p < 0.001）。结论：ETOPS可作为一种简单、可重复的内镜下评价咽鼓管功能障碍的分级系统。需要使用真实患者数据进行进一步验证，以确定其临床实用性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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