Impairment of nasal mucociliary clearance after radiotherapy for childhoodhead cancer

Background. Radiotherapy of the head region in children is known to cause l ong-term sequelae, such as facial, dental, and ocular abnormalities. We inv estigated whether a decreased nasal mucociliary function occurs after radio therapy of the head in children. Methods. A saccharin/charcoal test was performed in 20 children treated wit h radiotherapy of the head and in 20 controls, age-matched and gender-match ed. Results. We found a decreased nasal mucociliary clearance (lower percentage of responses (p = .0083) and longer mucociliary transport times (p = .0001 ) in the patients compared with the controls. The radiotherapy dosage influ enced the response to the test (p = .0046). Conclusions. Irradiation of the head in children may cause impairment of mu cociliary function, even permanently, which may predispose children to uppe r respiratory infections. We would suggest careful monitoring of such patie nts to detect as early as possible the clinical effects of the functional c hanges and to prevent the evolution to chronic diseases. (C) 2001 John Wile y & Sons, Inc.