Complications of tympanostomy tubes in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract Purpose To assess myringotomy plus tympanostomy tube (MTT) complication rates in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with otitis media (OM). Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of 182 HNC patients with OM treated between January 2000 and October 2007 for demographic da...

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Published in:American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 356 - 361
Main Authors: Shah, Jaecel O., MD, Herrera, Stephanie J., MD, Roberts, Dianna B., PhD, Gunn, G. Brandon, MD, Gidley, Paul W., MD
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2016
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Summary:Abstract Purpose To assess myringotomy plus tympanostomy tube (MTT) complication rates in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with otitis media (OM). Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of 182 HNC patients with OM treated between January 2000 and October 2007 for demographic data and data about MTT-related complications, tumor type and outcomes following MTT. Results We identified OM in 35 nasopharyngeal (NP), 34 paranasal sinus (PNS), and 24 larynx cancer patient ears; of these, 29 (83%), 31 (91%), and 22 (92%), respectively, were treated with MTT. Of the 29 NP cancer patient ears treated with MTT, 13 (45%) received MTT before radiotherapy; complications included otorrhea in 11 ears (38%), otorrhea with perforation in 3 ears (10%), and cholesteatoma in 1 ear (3%). Of the 31 PNS cancer patient ears treated with MTT, 17 (55%) received MTT before radiotherapy; complications included otorrhea in 10 ears (32%) and otorrhea with perforation in 3 ears (10%). All 22 laryngeal cancer patient ears were treated with MTT before radiotherapy; 5 ears (23%) developed chronic otorrhea. Patients with pre-existing eustachian tube dysfunction had significantly higher rates of tympanostomy tube otorrhea (p = .009). Conclusions The complication rates of OM in the setting of NP or PNS cancer were not significantly different regardless of intervention timing in relation to radiotherapy. Laryngectomy patients had a high rate of tympanostomy sequelae after radiotherapy. MTT for OM has high complication rates in HNC patients.
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ISSN:0196-0709
1532-818X
DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2015.10.006