Summary
Eustachian tube function tests were performed in 34 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before and after irradiation. Tubal dysfunction prior to irradiation in these patients was due to functional impairment. However, tubal dysfunction after irradiation was due to both organic obstruction and functional impairment. Organic obstruction of the tube was found to be severe with higher dosages of irradiation (to 80 Gy) resulting in subsequent otitis media. In our experience, higher doses of irradiation should be avoided if possible, but insertion of a ventilation tube should be done if a high dose of irradiation is planned.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Honjo I (1988) Eustachian tube and middle ear disease. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 25
Hsieh T (1985) Malignancies of the head and neck in Taiwan, the Republic of China. In: Myers EN (ed) New dimensions in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 520
Huang SC (1980) Nasopharyngeal cancer: a review of 1605 patients treated radically with cobalt 60. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 6:401–407
Sato H, Kurata K, Yen Y-H, Honjo I, Young Y-H, Hsieh T (1988) Extension of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and otitis media with effusion. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 114:866–867
Sato H, Kurata K, Yen Y-H, Honjo I, Young Y-H, Hsieh T (1988) Eustachian tube function in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In: Lim D (ed) Recent advances in otitis media. Decker, Toranto, p 64
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: Y.-H. Young
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Young, Y.H., Hsieh, T. Eustachian tube dysfunction in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, pre- and post-irradiation. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 249, 206–208 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178470
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178470