Otitis Media With Effusion in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Postirradiation
Journal
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery
Journal Volume
121
Journal Issue
7
Pages
765-768
Date Issued
1995
Author(s)
Abstract
Eighteen patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were subjected to eustachian tube function testing before and 6 months and 5 years after irradiation at the university hospital to investigate the chronological changes of tubal function induced by irradiation and to study the development of otitis media with effusion after irradiation. Improvement of tubal function was found 5 years after irradiation in those ears without otitis media. However, in patients who had otitis media with effusion after irradiation, deterioration of tubal function was persistent, and inflammatory reaction was detected in the upper respiratory tract, including the maxillary sinus and nasopharynx. Thus, the development of otitis media with effusion after irradiation in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is attributable to both tubal and inflammatory factors. Insertion of a ventilatory tube in ears can relieve tubal obstruction but can possibly aggravate the inflammatory process. Therefore, it is our opinion that myringotomy plus local treatment may be preferable to insertion of a ventilatory tube in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have otitis media with effusion. ? 1995 American Industrial Hygiene Association. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; article; auditory tube; cancer radiotherapy; clinical article; clinical feature; controlled study; female; follow up; functional assessment; human; male; myringotomy; nasopharynx carcinoma; otitis media; secretory otitis media; tympanostomy tube; Adult; Aged; Bone Conduction; Carcinoma; Chronic Disease; Comparative Study; Eustachian Tube; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Human; Male; Middle Age; Middle Ear Ventilation; Myringoplasty; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Otitis Media with Effusion; Time Factors
Type
journal article