A new treatment option for Eustachian tube dysfunction

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the go-ahead to the marketing of a new balloon device to treat patients with persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) called the Aera Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System. Minor bleeding, small tears in the Eustachian tube lining and worsening of the Eustachian Tube disease are the most commonly reported adverse events. The device should not be used in patients younger than 22 years, those who have a patulous Eustachian tube including those patients in whom the carotid artery protrudes through a gap in the bone surrounding the Eustachian tube.