Relationship between Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion in radiotherapy patients.J Laryngol Otol. 2018 Feb; 132(2):111-116.JL
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the relationship between radiation and Eustachian tube dysfunction, and examined the radiation dose required to induce otitis media with effusion.
METHODS
The function of 36 Eustachian tubes in 18 patients with head and neck cancer were examined sonotubometrically before, during, and 1, 2 and 3 months after, intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Patients with an increase of 5 dB or less in sound pressure level (dB) during swallowing were categorised as being in the dysfunction group. Additionally, radiation dose distributions were assessed in all Eustachian tubes using three dose-volume histogram parameters.
RESULTS
Twenty-two of 25 normally functioning Eustachian tubes before radiotherapy (88.0 per cent) shifted to the dysfunction group after therapy. All ears that developed otitis media with effusion belonged to the dysfunction group. The radiation dose threshold evaluation revealed that ears with otitis media with effusion received significantly higher doses to the Eustachian tubes.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate a relationship between radiation dose and Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion.