Kuen-Yao Ho1, Ka-Wo Lee, Chee-Yin Chai, Wen-Rei Kuo, Hsun-Mo Wang, Chen-Yu Chien. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, and Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the probability of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) being present among adults who appeared to suffer only from otitis media with effusion (OME). DESIGN AND SETTING: The clinical features of 87 adults suffering from OME but who demonstrated no other apparent symptoms and signs suggestive of NPC at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, between January 2003 and December 2004, were analyzed. A routine nasopharyngeal biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Five patients revealed NPCs (four nonkeratinizing carcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma). OME was deemed to have resulted from upper respiratory infection in 20 patients (23.0%), chronic paranasal sinusitis in 15 patients (17.3%), allergic rhinitis in 16 patients (18.4%), NPC in 5 patients (5.7%), various other known etiologies in 11 patients (12.6%), and unknown etiologies in 20 patients (23.0%). The incidence of NPC among adults suffering from OME but featuring no other symptoms and signs suggestive of NPC was 5.7% (5 of 87 patients). Such a figure appeared to be greater than that in some other reports because NPC tends to feature a greater prevalence in Taiwan. Therefore, biopsy of the postnasal space for adults who appear to feature only OME when NPC is strongly suspected is necessary for the early diagnosis of NPC. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Taiwanese adults with only OME, the cause of which is unclear, should be subjected to an appropriate medical examination and biopsy of the nasopharynx to exclude NPC.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the probability of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) being present among adults who appeared to suffer only from otitis media with effusion (OME). DESIGN AND SETTING: The clinical features of 87 adults suffering from OME but who demonstrated no other apparent symptoms and signs suggestive of NPC at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, between January 2003 and December 2004, were analyzed. A routine nasopharyngeal biopsy was performed. RESULTS: Five patients revealed NPCs (four nonkeratinizing carcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma). OME was deemed to have resulted from upper respiratory infection in 20 patients (23.0%), chronic paranasal sinusitis in 15 patients (17.3%), allergic rhinitis in 16 patients (18.4%), NPC in 5 patients (5.7%), various other known etiologies in 11 patients (12.6%), and unknown etiologies in 20 patients (23.0%). The incidence of NPC among adults suffering from OME but featuring no other symptoms and signs suggestive of NPC was 5.7% (5 of 87 patients). Such a figure appeared to be greater than that in some other reports because NPC tends to feature a greater prevalence in Taiwan. Therefore, biopsy of the postnasal space for adults who appear to feature only OME when NPC is strongly suspected is necessary for the early diagnosis of NPC. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Taiwanese adults with only OME, the cause of which is unclear, should be subjected to an appropriate medical examination and biopsy of the nasopharynx to exclude NPC.
Authors: J Douglas Swarts; Cuneyt M Alper; Ellen M Mandel; Richard Villardo; William J Doyle Journal: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Date: 2011-04 Impact factor: 1.547
Authors: Marlinda Adham; Sharon D Stoker; Maarten A Wildeman; Lisnawati Rachmadi; Soehartati Gondhowiardjo; Djumhana Atmakusumah; Djayadiman Gatot; Renske Fles; Astrid E Greijer; Bambang Hermani; Jaap M Middeldorp; I Bing Tan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-07-14 Impact factor: 3.240