The Role of Early Intervention in Mitigating Secretory Otitis Media Following Radiotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

AI Youqin; ZHAO Qing; CHEN Jinxiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2014.04.041

Abstract：Objective To study the effects of triamcinolone acetonide and ambroxol solutionthe injection at the begin?ning of radiotherapy in slowing down development of secretory otitis media (SOM) in patients with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Forty cases (64 ears exposed to radiation) of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma,but with no signs of secretory otitis media symptoms were divided into experimental and control groups of 32 ears each. Patients in the experimental group re?ceived transtympanic injection of triamcinolone acetonide and ambroxol solutionthe once a week when radiation dose amount?ed to 30 Gy. The treatment was continued until the end of radiotherapy. The two groups were then observed for 6 months after radiotherapy. The rate of SOM,at the end of radiotherapy, and by the end of the third and sixth post-radiation month were compared between the groups. Results At the end of radiotherapy, 1 ear in the experimental group (1/32) and 6 ears (in 4 pa?tients) in the control groups (6/32) showed signs of SOM (X2=18.19, p<0.01). At the end of the third month, 2 ears (in 2 pa?tients) in the experimental group (2/32) and 9 ears (in 6 patients) in the control groups (9/32) developed SOM (X2=20.75, p<0.01). At the end of the sixth month, 6 ears (in 4 patients) in the experimental group (6/32) and 18 ears (in 13 patients) in the control groups (18/32) had SOM (X2=30.47, p<0.01). Conclusions Early intervention with tympanic injection of triamcinolone acetonide and ambroxol may decrease SOM related to radiotherapy for NPC.