OTITIS-MEDIA WITH EFFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA,POSTIRRADIATION

Eighteen patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were subjected to eust achian tube function testing before and 6 months and 5 years after irr adiation al the university hospital to investigate the chronological c hanges of tubal function induced by irradiation and to study the devel opment of otitis media with effusion after irradiation. Improvement of tubal function was found 5 years after irradiation in those ears with out otitis media. However, in patients who had otitis media with effus ion 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 naso pharyngeal carcinoma is attributable to both tubal and inflammatory fa ctors, Insertion of a ventilatory tube in ears can relieve tubal obstr uction but can possibly aggravate the inflammatory process. Therefore, it is our opinion that myringotomy plus local treatment may be prefer able to insertion of a ventilatory tube in patients with nasopharyngea l carcinoma who have otitis media with effusion.