Laser myringotomy for otitis media with effusion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of laser myringotomy in otitis media with effusion (OME) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

Laser myringotomy was performed with a CO 2 laser otoscope in 53 NPC patients (68 ears) and 32 non-NPC patients (37 ears). All patients had a history of OME.

RESULTS

In the NPC group, 40% of ears developed persistent perforation, 37% had recurrent OME, and 23% were free of disease. In the non-NPC group, only 3% of ears developed persistent perforation, and 43% were free of disease. Significant differences in perforation and disease-free state were evident between the 2 groups. Tumor stage was found to be a significant determining factor for clinical outcome in NPC group.

CONCLUSION

Laser myringotomy for NPC group carries a significantly higher risk of persistent perforation and lower rate of cure. This procedure may be considered for early staging NPC patients with serious OME symptoms.