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

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, ۴۰ adult patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ETD underwent diagnostic nasal endoscopy using a ۷۰° endoscope. The Eustachian tube nasopharyngeal orifice was graded using the newly proposed ETOPS. ETOPS values were compared with ETDQ-۷ symptom scores and tympanometric findings.Results:A significant positive correlation was observed between ETOPS and ETDQ-۷ scores (r = ۰.۷۴, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Inter-observer reliability was good (ICC = ۰.۸۹). Patients with Type B and Type C tympanograms demonstrated significantly higher ETOPS values than those with Type A tympanograms (p< ۰.۰۰۱).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.

کلیدواژه ها:

Eustachian tube dysfunction ، Nasal endoscopy ، Tympanometry