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Pathogenesis of middle-ear effusion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a new perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

W. K. Low ,
T. A. Lim ,
Y. F. Fan  and
A. Balakrishnan
W. K. Low*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore.
T. A. Lim
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore.
Y. F. Fan
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore.
A. Balakrishnan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Republic of Singapore.
*
Address for correspondence: Dr W. K. Low,Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore0316, Republic of Singapore. Fax: 65-2262079
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Abstract

The theory that middle-ear effusion (MEE) associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is merely the result of tensor veli palatinus destruction is deficient because recent studies have shown that many patients with NPC have MEE but no tensor veli palatinus dysfunction. The present study evaluates the relationship between MEE and Eustachian cartilage erosion by NPC and examines the pathogenesis of NPC-associated MEE from a new perspective.

Thirty-five patients with NPC were studied by magnetic resonance scans taken along the lengths of the Eustachian tubes. Twenty-four patients had tumour involvementof both sides of the nasopharynx so that 59 ears were available for study. Eighteen ears had MEE of which 12 had Eustachian cartilage erosion (p<00001, Fischer's Exact Test). In ears with MEE, Eustachian cartilage erosion was frequently but not necessarily associated with tensor veli palatinus destruction.

We postulate that altered Eustachian tubal compliance as a result of cartilage erosion by tumour is an important reason why middle-eareffusions develop in patients with NPC.

Keywords

Eustachian tubeOtitis media with effusionNasopharyngeal neoplasms
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 111 , Issue 5 , May 1997 , pp. 431 - 434
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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