Gas Absorption in Serous Otitis

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Abstract
Animal experiments have shown that gas absorption can produce a considerable intratympanic underpressure when the gas composition of the middle ear is disturbed. A similar phenomenon was observed in children with serous otitis. In 12 ears with underpressures exceeding — 150 mm H2O, Valsalva inflation or politzerization produced a transient improvement followed by a rapid return to subatmospheric pressures ranging from — 130 to — 300 mm H2O. In four cases with middle ear pressures between — 65 and — 135 mm H2O, the same procedure did not result in any significant underpressures. These findings suggest that inflation of the middle ear in the presence of a deep underpressure serves no purpose. It is also possible that a negative pressure, once established, can be maintained in this way.

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