Serous otitis media in malignancies of the nasopharynx and maxilla

Abstract

The association of serous otitis media with certain head and neck malignancies is well known (Myers et al., 1984) and in particular its association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Fletcher et al., 1967). In these patients, the eustachian tube function may be affected either by the location of the tumour or by the irradiation administered as treatment (Brill et al., 1974). Similar problems exist for patients undergoing total maxillectomy for carcinoma. Surgical procedures may have affected the musculature for proper Eustachian tube function (Summers, 1974) and the situation is often compounded by pre- or post-operative radiotherapy delivered to the same area.