Preservation of tubal function in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, post-irradiation

Nineteen nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were subjected to eustachian tube function testing before and 5 years after irradiation. Tubal patency and clearance function of the eustachian tube showed deterioration if maximum irradiation dosage was more than 70 Gy, whereas dynamic function of the eustachian tube was preserved. Development of middle ear complications in NPC patients post-irradiation was caused by both tubal and inflammatory factors. To preserve tubal function, maximum irradiation dosage to NPC should be limited to 70 Gy. To decrease the inflammatory reaction, firstly, middle ear effusion should be drained by repeated myringotomies instead of grommet insertion, and secondly, sinusitis should be evaluated and treated, because sinusitis can aggravate otitis media with effusion.