Key points –
- This study aimed to investigate whether patient, tumor, and radiation
therapy factors are associated with the development of middle ear
effusion (MEE) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
- The retrospective review included patients treated between January
2000 and June 2018 at a tertiary medical center. Patient and tumor
factors, radiation doses, and radiation fields were collected and
analyzed between patients with and without MEE and between sides in
patients with unilateral MEE.
- The study found that post-irradiation MEE was a common adverse effect
in NPC patients, and tumor stage, histology, and laterality were not
associated with MEE.
- Additionally, no difference was found in the radiation doses to the
middle ear, Eustachian tube, Levator veli palatine, or Tensor veli
palatine muscles between ears with and without MEE.
- The study suggests that IMRT may reduce otologic complications in NPC
patients. The study provides important information on risk factors for
MEE in NPC patients, which can help inform management strategies.
Key words – Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Middle ear effusion,
Levator veli-palatini, Tensor veli-palatine, Radiotherapy
Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to
disclose.
Funding Source – None.