Professor KiSung Nam of Chosun University Hospital Identifies New Cause of Adhesive Otitis Media

KiSung Nam, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Chosun University Hospital.

Chosun University Hospital announced on June 9 that a joint study conducted by Professor KiSung Nam of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Chosun University Hospital and Professor SungHoon Bae of Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, has been published in 'Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,' the top international journal in the field of otorhinolaryngology.

'Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery' is a leading Q1 journal in the field of otorhinolaryngology and serves as the official journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF). It is highly regarded internationally for its credibility and influence. The results of this study were published online on February 17, and appeared in Volume 172, Issue 5 of the journal last month.

The title of the paper is 'Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adhesive Otitis Media: Obstructive Versus Patulous Types.' Professor KiSung Nam participated as the corresponding author of this study and successfully led the research.

Previously, adhesive otitis media was mainly thought to be caused by obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (obstructive ETD). However, this study revealed that an abnormally open Eustachian tube can also be an important pathophysiological factor.

According to the research findings, about 43% of patients with adhesive otitis media showed evidence of an abnormally open Eustachian tube. Among these, as many as 92% repeatedly engaged in 'habitual sniffing' behavior. The research team explained that this behavior induces negative pressure, which damages the middle ear structures and ultimately increases the risk of developing adhesive otitis media and cholesteatomatous otitis media.

Professor Nam, who participated in the study, stated, "'Sniffing,' which may seem like a simple habit, can have very harmful effects on the ear." He added, "Especially if symptoms such as chronic ear fullness, tinnitus, or recurrent otitis media occur repeatedly, it may indicate a problem with the Eustachian tube function itself rather than a simple middle ear issue, so precise examination and diagnosis are necessary."

Professor Nam also said, "This study is also significant in determining the indications for therapeutic procedures such as Eustachian tube balloon dilation (BET)." He emphasized, "If a procedure to dilate the Eustachian tube, which connects the ear and the nose, is performed on patients with an abnormally open Eustachian tube, symptoms may actually worsen. Therefore, Eustachian tube function must be evaluated before any procedure is performed."