Eustachian tube stents – direct and indirect findings in CBCT

Introduction:

Stenting of the Eustachian tube offers a possibility to decrease the opening resistance of the tube. Coming from balloon tuboplasty a catheter-based application has been developed. The goal of the study was to evaluate direct and indirect findings in CBCT of CoCr-, NiTi- and Polymer- based prototypes.

Methods:

In an ex-vivo study of 12 human body donors had been stented with a developed transnasal application tool bilaterally. 16 NiTi-, 3 CoCr- and 4 polymer stents had been used. CBCT scans had been done before and after an intervention. They had been evaluated with OsiriX in 3D curved MPR.

Results:

In CBCT direct and indirect signs shows the stent localization. CoCr shows strong contrast by high shadowing. NiTi shows in dependency the strut size a good differentiation radiologically. Polymer stents had no direct radiologic sign but indirect by generating an open lumen in the stented area.

Conclusions:

In analogy to stents in other medical fields, it is necessary to have a valid diagnostics for localization of the stent. The results of this study point out a valid method of localization of a stented Eustachian tube in the CBCT

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)