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What Causes A Big Hole In The Ear Drum With Eustachian Tube?
Question: Hi I'm a chronic Eustachian tube patient, 36 year old female, tubes since I was 2. I get the long term T tubes, this is the 2nd time I've had them fall out within a year or less. Usually they last 5 years!!!! One was just pulled out of my ear canal, the other I had to have a CT scan to determine exact location as it is in my inner ear somewhere. It's like it fell out backwards? In the 34 years I've had ear tubes, this has never happened...now my ear drum needs a huge hole cut in it to remove the ear tube. Is this common? Could I lose some of my hearing in my right ear? What could've caused this, possibly?? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Ok. Let me rephrase my answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This is not common. A ventilation tube falling into the middle ear is a rare complication, usually at the time of surgery. If it falls into the middle ear after successful placement, the complication rate is less than 1%. That is why it has never happened to you before.
2. You will not lose any hearing in your right ear because a ventilation tube fell into the middle ear. Repeated ventilation tube insertions will damage the ear drums by scarring. This is referred to as tympanosclerosis, myringosclerosis and causes retraction of the ear drums (atrophy) and perforations. Upload your latest PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram).
3. The possible causes include improper insertion, scarring and atrophy of the eardrum from repeated insertions (as in your case), infection or mistaking an extruded ventilation tube for one that has fallen in. Inserting a ventilation tube into a thinned out (atrophic) or scarred ear drum increases the chances of complications by 50%. Hence, this incident finally happening to you is no XXXXXXX
4. You represent less than 1% of ventilation tube cases who have lifelong ventilation tube procedures. About 65% patients undergo only one procedure in a lifetime. Another 30% get a second set. Less than 5% patients require multiple ventilation tube procedures.
5. You DO NOT require a CT Scan. You DO NOT need to get the tube removed from the middle ear. The tube cannot fall into the inner ear (which is different from the middle ear).
6. Your ENT Surgeon/s deserve an award for the maximum number of ventilation tube insertions over the last 35 years in a single patient (and they intend to continue doing so). It is time that they investigate further and try a different approach. A lot has changed over the past few decades.
7. You need to share your clinical notes, detailed history, images of the ear drum and test results for any meaningful advice.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Ok. Let me rephrase my answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. This is not common. A ventilation tube falling into the middle ear is a rare complication, usually at the time of surgery. If it falls into the middle ear after successful placement, the complication rate is less than 1%. That is why it has never happened to you before.
2. You will not lose any hearing in your right ear because a ventilation tube fell into the middle ear. Repeated ventilation tube insertions will damage the ear drums by scarring. This is referred to as tympanosclerosis, myringosclerosis and causes retraction of the ear drums (atrophy) and perforations. Upload your latest PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram).
3. The possible causes include improper insertion, scarring and atrophy of the eardrum from repeated insertions (as in your case), infection or mistaking an extruded ventilation tube for one that has fallen in. Inserting a ventilation tube into a thinned out (atrophic) or scarred ear drum increases the chances of complications by 50%. Hence, this incident finally happening to you is no XXXXXXX
4. You represent less than 1% of ventilation tube cases who have lifelong ventilation tube procedures. About 65% patients undergo only one procedure in a lifetime. Another 30% get a second set. Less than 5% patients require multiple ventilation tube procedures.
5. You DO NOT require a CT Scan. You DO NOT need to get the tube removed from the middle ear. The tube cannot fall into the inner ear (which is different from the middle ear).
6. Your ENT Surgeon/s deserve an award for the maximum number of ventilation tube insertions over the last 35 years in a single patient (and they intend to continue doing so). It is time that they investigate further and try a different approach. A lot has changed over the past few decades.
7. You need to share your clinical notes, detailed history, images of the ear drum and test results for any meaningful advice.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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