THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MIDDLE-EAR PRESSURE AND DEVIATED NASAL-SEPTUM

The deviated nasal septum may be associated with middle ear problems, particularly on the side of nasal obstruction. This study aims to find out whether middle ear pressure (MEP) correlates with the degree of n asal obstruction secondary to a deviated nasal septum, and to examine changes in MEP following septal surgery. Patencies of the nasal passag es (measured with a peak nasal inspiratory flowmeter) and MEP (measure d with a tympanometer) of 55 patients were obtained prior to surgery a nd 7.5 (6-10) months post-operatively [median (range)]. Forty patients completed the study. Results were analysed by linear regression. In t he ear on the side of nasal blockage, MEP was -25.7+/-28.4 mm water pr e-operatively, and following surgery increased significantly to -2.9+/ -30.4 mm water (mean+/-SD) (P < 0.001). Pre-operatively, it was invers ely related to the difference in patencies between the two nasal passa ges (r = -0.32, P < 0.02). Post-operatively, its improvement correlate d with the degree of reduction of asymmetry of airway patency (r = 0.5 6, P < 0.001).