OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that mastoid volume buffers the rate of change in middle ear pressure caused by transmucosal, inert gas exchange. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve monkeys were randomly assigned to group 1 or group 2. Right ears of group 1 had sham surgery and of group 2 had obstruction of the mastoid antrum. Before and after surgery, the time constant for transmucosal N(2)O exchange was estimated from N(2)O breathing experiments. The hypothesis predicts that the postoperative time constant measured for right ears of group 2 but not group 1 is greater than that measured before surgery. RESULTS: Mastoid antrum block significantly decreased right middle ear volume but did not affect the time constant for transmucosal N(2)O exchange. CONCLUSION: A mastoid gas-reserve function is not supported by the experimental data. SIGNIFICANCE: These results for monkeys and the theory developed to explain the effect of mastoid volume on transmucosal inert gas exchange suggest that the results for previous experiments in humans interpreted as evidencing a mastoid gas-reserve function are consistent with alternative explanations.
OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that mastoid volume buffers the rate of change in middle ear pressure caused by transmucosal, inert gas exchange. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve monkeys were randomly assigned to group 1 or group 2. Right ears of group 1 had sham surgery and of group 2 had obstruction of the mastoid antrum. Before and after surgery, the time constant for transmucosal N(2)O exchange was estimated from N(2)O breathing experiments. The hypothesis predicts that the postoperative time constant measured for right ears of group 2 but not group 1 is greater than that measured before surgery. RESULTS: Mastoid antrum block significantly decreased right middle ear volume but did not affect the time constant for transmucosal N(2)O exchange. CONCLUSION: A mastoid gas-reserve function is not supported by the experimental data. SIGNIFICANCE: These results for monkeys and the theory developed to explain the effect of mastoid volume on transmucosal inert gas exchange suggest that the results for previous experiments in humans interpreted as evidencing a mastoid gas-reserve function are consistent with alternative explanations.
Authors: Miriam S Teixeira; Cuneyt M Alper; Brian S Martin; Brendan M Cullen Doyle; William J Doyle Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2015-07-07 Impact factor: 3.325
Authors: Miriam S Teixeira; Cuneyt M Alper; Brian S Martin; Selma Cetin; Jenna A El-Wagaa; William J Doyle Journal: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Date: 2017-01-19 Impact factor: 1.547
Authors: Toby W A Gould; John P Birchall; Ali S Mallick; Tamara Alliston; Lawrence R Lustig; Kevin M Shakesheff; Cheryl V Rahman Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2013-05-13 Impact factor: 3.325