CALORIC RESPONSE AND POSTURAL CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH NASOPHARYNGEALCARCINOMA AFTER RADIOTHERAPY

Since radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for nasopharyngeal carci noma, the influence of irradiation on the temporal bone is of great co ncern for these patients. In this study, the caloric test and posturog raphy were used to investigate vestibular function in 41 irradiated pa tients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Caloric testing showed a high in cidence of canal paresis; five unilateral and 10 bilateral. Factors su ch as middle ear effusion had no significant effect on the occurrence of canal paresis. Posturography showed no difference from the control group. The authors conclude that the influence of irradiation on the v estibular apparatus of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma might re sult in a canal paresis, while postural control is preserved. Central compensation may play an important role in the postural control of the se patients.