Concordance Analysis of the Pressure Chamber and Tubomanometer According to Estève for the Determination of Eustachian Tube Opening Pressure.

Introduction: For the diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), clinical procedures such as tympanometry, micro-otoscopy, and maneuvers according to Toynbee and Valsalva only allow an indirect assessment for the moment. With a prevalence of up to 5%, the selection of patients with ETD and its subtypes is clinically relevant. Dynamic methods of Eustachian tube function assessment include a hypo/hyperbaric pressure chamber and Estève's tubomanometer (TMM).

[ENT in zero g: the cosmic challenges of otolaryngology].

Manned spaceflight places special demands on the human body, including the organs in the ENT region. These organs play a critical role in maintaining the health and safety of astronauts in space. In this paper, we review common ENT problems of spaceflight, including upper airway edema, middle ear and mastoid effusions, hearing loss, and dizziness with nausea.

Intraindividual variability of the Eustachian tube function: a longitudinal study in a pressure chamber.

Introduction: The Eustachian tube (ET) is essential for fast and direct pressure equalisation between middle ear and ambient pressure. It is not yet known to what extent Eustachian tube function in healthy adults changes in a weekly periodicity due to internal and external factors. This question is particularly interesting with regard to scuba divers among whom there is a need to evaluate intraindividual ET function variability.

[Predatory journals in otorhinolaryngology].

Background: Pseudo-scientific predatory journals have been making a commercially lucrative business with scientific manuscripts for many years misusing the "open access" model by offering a fast and uncomplicated publication of scientific manuscripts in return for publication fees. The question arises as to whether the specialty field of otorhinolaryngology has already been infiltrated by this bad practice.

Material And Methods: A pseudo-scientific fake manuscript was sent to 20 journals in which the journal title indicated an otorhinolaryngological content.

The lncRNA MRPL20-AS1 is associated with severe OSAS and downregulated upon hypoxic injury of endothelial cells.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is the most common sleep disorder in humans. Although OSAS is clearly related to arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, it remains unknown through which pathomechanisms OSAS influences cardiovascular health. Recent research has pinpointed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) as important molecular mediators of various cardiovascular pathologies.

Influence of 30 and 60 Min of Hypobaric Hypoxia in Simulated Altitude of 15,000 ft on Human Proteome Profile.

The human body reacts to hypobaric hypoxia, e.g., during a stay at high altitude, with several mechanisms of adaption.

Analysis of nocturnal, hypoxia-induced miRNAs in sleep apnea patients.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The underlying mechanisms are largely unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are RNAs circulating in the blood that can be released into the bloodstream during hypoxia.

Prospective study on the Eustachian tube function during Frenzel maneuver in a hypobaric/hyperbaric pressure chamber.

Introduction: The Frenzel maneuver describes a technique for middle ear equalizing which is frequently used by apnea divers. It offers advantages compared to the most commonly used techniques such as the Valsalva or Toynbee maneuver. Until now, there is insufficient literature about the pressure dynamics and Eustachian tube (ET) function during the Frenzel maneuver.

Long-term therapy with botulinum toxin in facial synkinesis: Retrospective data analysis of data from 1998 to 2018.

Objectives: Treatment with botulinum toxin A (BoNT) is the therapy of choice for many patients with facial synkinesis. Repeated injections relieve hypertonicity and hyperkinesis of reinnervated mimic muscles. Aim of the study was to prove if the injection regime and dosage of BoNT change during long-time therapy.

[Is Flying or Diving risky after cochlear implantation? Examination in a pressure chamber].

Objective:  Complications after cochlear implantation are relatively rare but patients are asked to follow certain behavioral rules. Until now there is no evidence if pressure changes that occur during flying and diving are safe for patients after cochlear implantation. For example, no recommendation exists for SCUBA- diving activities.

Effects of freediving on middle ear and eustachian tube function.

Introduction: During descent in freediving there is exposure to rapidly increasing pressure. Inability to quickly equalise middle ear pressure may cause trauma to the ear. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of pressure-related damage to the middle ear and the Eustachian tube during freediving and to identify possible risk factors.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during spaceflight - a guideline for CPR in microgravity from the German Society of Aerospace Medicine (DGLRM) and the European Society of Aerospace Medicine Space Medicine Group (ESAM-SMG).

Background: With the "Artemis"-mission mankind will return to the Moon by 2024. Prolonged periods in space will not only present physical and psychological challenges to the astronauts, but also pose risks concerning the medical treatment capabilities of the crew. So far, no guideline exists for the treatment of severe medical emergencies in microgravity.

Gravity and Mastoid Effusion.

Background: Asymptomatic mastoid effusions have recently been observed in astronauts returning from long-term spaceflight. In hospitalized patients, mastoid effusion increases the risks for bacterial otitis and mastoiditis. We reasoned that cephalad fluid shifts during strict -6° head down tilt bed rest could reproduce space-flight associated mastoid effusion and that artificial gravity may reverse the response.

Subjective and Objective Effectiveness of Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilatation for Patients With Eustachian Tube Dysfunction-Evaluation in a Pressure Chamber.

Introduction: The Eustachian tube plays a crucial role in pressure equalization between the middle ear and ambient pressure for fast and large pressure differences. In patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, Eustachian tube balloon dilatation is increasingly used as surgical therapy. Subjectively, many patients report an improvement of the symptoms postoperatively.

Evaluation of the Parameter "Mean Impedance" for Representing Eustachian tube Functions During Pressure Increase and Decrease in Pressure Chamber Measurements.

Hypothesis: The hypothesis of the study is that the mean impedance (MI) during compression and decompression provides additional information of the Eustachian tube (ET) function.

Background: The continuous impedance measurement in a pressure chamber can provide valuable information about the opening function of the ET.

Methods: Around 55 ear-healthy volunteers were examined in a pressure chamber.

Handling of Breast Milk by Neonatal Units: Large Differences in Current Practices and Beliefs.

Breast milk (BM) for premature infants is subjected to multiple steps of processing, storage and distribution. These steps may influence the quality and safety of BM. Guidelines concerning the use of mother's own milk are either not available or limited to specific aspects of BM handling and are based on evidence of variable strength.

In-flight cardiac arrest and in-flight cardiopulmonary resuscitation during commercial air travel: consensus statement and supplementary treatment guideline from the German Society of Aerospace Medicine (DGLRM).

By the end of the year 2016, approximately 3 billion people worldwide travelled by commercial air transport. Between 1 out of 14,000 and 1 out of 50,000 passengers will experience acute medical problems/emergencies during a flight (i.e.

Analyzing eustachian tube function in patients with symptoms of chronical Eustachian tube dysfunction by pressure chamber measurements.

Purpose: The determination of Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) subtypes in daily routines is based on symptoms of the patient, otoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and Valsalva's test, even though this clinical assessment is often not sufficient to clearly diagnose the subtype. In the study, we have evaluated the possibility of the determination of different subtypes of ETD by pressure chamber measurements.

Methods: In a single-person pressure chamber, we exposed 17 patients to pressure increases and decreases.

Assessment of the Importance of Tympanic Membrane Mechanoreceptors on Eustachian Tube Function Based on Pressure Chamber Measurements.

Introduction: Previously, it was demonstrated how the Eustachian tube (ET) opening function can be influenced by middle ear pressure and movement of the tympanic membrane via neural control. Mechanoreceptors on the tympanic membrane may be part of the afferent arc and could influence the middle ear pressure by activating the musculus veli palatini as part of a reflex.

Methods: In a hypo and hyperbaric pressure chamber, 17 participants (34 ears) were twice exposed to a standardized pressure profile of pressure decrease and increase.

Influence of repetitive diving in freshwater on pressure equalization and Eustachian tube function in recreational scuba divers.

Introduction: We investigated the effect of repetitive pressure exposure during freshwater dives on Eustachian tube function and the middle ear, assessed by the Eustachian tube function test (ETFT).

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 23 divers over three consecutive days of diving in freshwater lakes in Nordhausen, Germany. Participants underwent otoscopy and ETFT before the first dive, between each dive and after the last dive.

Influence of repetitive diving in saltwater on pressure equalization and Eustachian tube function in recreational scuba divers.

Introduction: We investigated in a prospective, observational trial the feasibility of using the Eustachian tube function test (ETFT) to measure the effect of repetitive pressure exposure during open seawater dives on Eustachian tube function.

Methods: The study included 28 adult divers during six consecutive days of diving in the Red Sea. Participants underwent otoscopy and ETFT before the first dive, between each dive and after the last dive.

Repetitive freshwater diving: risk factors and prevalence of barotrauma.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the influence of repetitive scuba diving in fresh water on the middle ear mucosa. The prevalence of middle ear barotrauma (MEB) and risk factors for MEB were evaluated.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study, Level of evidence 1b.

Thirty Minutes of Hypobaric Hypoxia Provokes Alterations of Immune Response, Haemostasis, and Metabolism Proteins in Human Serum.

Hypobaric hypoxia (HH) during airline travel induces several (patho-) physiological reactions in the human body. Whereas severe hypoxia is investigated thoroughly, very little is known about effects of moderate or short-term hypoxia, e.g.