Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube for Baro-Challenge-Induced Otologic Symptoms in Military Divers and Aviators: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of balloon dilation (tuboplasty) of the Eustachian tube (BET) in active duty military personnel working in hyper- and hypobaric environments suffering from baro-challenge-induced ETD using functional outcomes.

Methods: Military divers and aviators diagnosed with persistent baro-challenge-induced ETD resulting in disqualification from performing flight and dive duties and who elected for treatment with BET were included for analysis. Posttreatment follow-up assessments were undertaken at 1, 6, and 12 months.

Navy diver with recurrent facial nerve baroparesis treated with eustachian tube balloon dilation.

Facial nerve baroparesis is a rare complication of middle ear barotrauma reported almost exclusively in overpressure events related to diving and flying. Until the development of Eustachian tube balloon dilation, no diving compatible options existed to effectively and safely prevent recurrence. We present a case of a U.

Congenital complete absence of tracheal rings with trifurcate carina: Case report of a rare clinical and endoscopic presentation.

We describe the case of a child with isolated absence of cartilaginous tracheal rings and a trifurcate carina. At 6 months of age, the patient presented to our multidisciplinary airway clinic with stridor and recurrent severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization. Radiographs showed airway narrowing.

Metalloproteinase expression is associated with traumatic wound failure.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial in the inflammatory and remodeling phases of wound healing. We previously reported the correlation between pro-inflammatory cytokines and timing of successful combat-wound closure. We now extend our studies to investigate the correlation between wound-remodeling MMP expression and wound healing.