Sensori-neural hearing loss in patients treated with irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(91)90692-W· OSTI ID:5159583

Grau, C; Moller, K; Overgaard, M; Overgaard, J; Elbrond, O ^[1]

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1. University of Aarhus (Denmark)

The present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the inner ear to irradiation. Cochlear function was tested in a cohort of 22 patients before and 7-84 months after receiving external irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The pre-irradiation sensori-neural hearing threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz was used as a baseline for the individual patient, and the observed sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) was calculated as the difference between pre- and post-irradiation values. The pre-irradiation hearing level or patient age was not correlated with the actual SNHL. In contrast, there was a significant correlation between the total radiation dose to the inner ear and the observed hearing impairment. SNHL was most pronounced in the high frequencies, with values up to 35 dB (4000 Hz) and 25 dB (2000 Hz) in some patients. The latent period for the complication appeared to be 12 months or more. The deleterious effect of irradiation on the hearing should be kept in mind both in treatment planning and in the follow-up after radiotherapy.

• OSTI ID: 5159583
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States) Vol. 21:3; ISSN IOBPD; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AUDITORY ORGANS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
CARCINOMAS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
PHARYNX
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SENSE ORGANS
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY