Mouse model of experimental Eustachian tube occlusion: a surgical technique

Abstract

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates a mouse model of chronic Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction using a surgical technique that is reproducible and effective with low mortality and morbidity.

Objective: To create a reproducible and effective mouse model of ET obstruction with a low operative morbidity.

Methods: Forty healthy, male CBA/CaJ mice underwent the procedure. ET obstruction was performed on one side under general anesthesia; A small piece of dental material (Gutta Percha Points, Meta Biomed, Chungbuk, Korea) was placed via the tympanic orifice of the ET to occlude the entire ET. The contralateral ears of animals served as a control. One month after the operation, all ears were inspected under an operating microscope for signs of ET dysfunction. Primary outcome measures were the signs of ET dysfunction inspected through tympanic membrane (TM) 4 weeks after the operation and confirmation of ET occlusion by post-mortem dissection.

Results: Forty (100%) of the treated mice ears developed ET dysfunction, as confirmed by the middle ear appearance on otoscopy and dissection post-mortem and 0% of the control ears at 4 weeks. The most common otoscopic signs were thickened TMs and middle ear effusions. No mortality or morbidity occurred either from anesthesia or surgery.

Keywords:

• Animal model
• Eustachian tube
• mice
• otitis media with effusion

Acknowledgements

Support is acknowledged from the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, Stanford’s SPARK, and the Stanford Child Health Research Institute.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.