This book, written by international experts, is a detailed guide to the Eustachian tube, with emphasis on those aspects of most relevance to the practitioner. The opening chapters document the clinical anatomy and provide essential information on physiology, with explanation of the new model of tubal mechanics. Diagnosis and therapy for the patulous Eustachian tube are then discussed, placing special emphasis on a novel conservative treatment regimen that has proven to be a breakthrough for patients with this clinical syndrome. A further extensive chapter examines overall function of the Eustachian tube, primarily from the middle ear surgeon’s viewpoint. Tuboplasty procedures, including laser tuboplasty, and tympanoplasty are described, and the implications of different middle ear pathologies for surgical treatment are explained. The previously unpublished treatment methods that are described in this book will be invaluable in ensuring the best possible clinical outcomes.

As one of today's leading researchers of middle ear disorders, Dr. Bluestone offers a unique perspective on the diagnosis and management of common middle ear problems.The Eustachian Tubeis the first book to comprehensively cover these disorders in both adults and children. The Eustachian Tubebegins with an overview of middle ear anatomy, and the epidemiology of middle ear disorders. Then it discusses current tests of eustachian tube function, as well as the physiology and pathophysiology of the eustachian tube. Dr. Bluestone also draws on his extensive clinical experience to describe the latest surgical and nonsurgical methods of middle ear treatment. Throughout, photographs and drawings illustrate anatomy and pathophysiology.

For more than three decades the methods for assessing cell pro liferation have been largely the preserve of experimental biologists, and in their hands such techniques have contributed greatly to our understanding of the dynamic organisation of normal and patho logical tissues. In recent years, with the advent of novel method ologies, there has been increased interest among both pathologists and clinicians, particularly oncologists and others interested in neoplasia, in assessing cell proliferation. This interest has been stimulated by the possibility that indices of cell proliferation may have direct clinical relevance, for example in being useful predictors of outcome in patients with certain forms of malignancy. In addi tion, interest in assessing cell proliferation has been fuelled by the tremendous advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of cell proliferation and their deregulation in pathological processes. Consequently, the time is ripe for a monograph critically reviewing the available methods for assessing cell proliferation, their potential and their problems. We have been particularly concerned to present a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of different methods currently available for assessing cell proliferation. The assessment of cell proliferation often requires some familiarity with mathematical methods, but in this book we have attempted to keep detailed mathematical analyses to a minimum. We have asked exponents of each of the well-recognised methods to critically review the tech niques and the ways in which they may be applied to clinical mate rial.

Acute and chronic ear disease continues to be one of the leading diseases of childhood. Understanding eustachian tube function and management remains one of the most important aspects in controlling inflammatory ear disease. Chronic ear disease requires elaborate surgical interventions designed to bypass eustachian tube dysfunction and/or poor mastoid aeration, since surgical management of the eustachian tube has been elusive. Our understanding of the ear and hearing continues to expand at record pace, as auditory neuroscientists discover the fundamental molecular structure and function of the auditory system. The cochlear implant has revolutionized the treatment of deafness. In contrast, the complexity of eustachian tube pathophysiology is only just beginning to be appreciated. This book provides a detailed analysis of contemporary knowledge on the morphology, physiology, and gas exchange function of the eustachian tube, middle ear, and mastoid. Newer diagnostic tests, such as sono tubometry, tubomanometry, and endoscopic video-analysis, are also described. Finally, a selection of innovative surgical management strategies for eustachian tube dysfunction is presented. The clinical impact of these diagnostic tools and surgical management options still requires the test of time, as well as investigation by others. This text provides the trainee, clinician, and researcher with the opportunity to acquire state-of-the-art information in a single volume. I am certain that this is just the beginning of our knowledge of ways in which to improve the management of one of the long-standing chronic conditions that result in hearing loss and more serious sequellae.