[Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone]

Introduction: Radiotherapy is an effective, modern method of treating malignant neoplasms of head and neck and also intracranial tumours. Technological development and computerization of equipment used in radiotherapy enabled introduction of modern methods of treatment allowing decrease the risk of postradiation complications but not eliminating them completely. Postradiant necrosis of temporal bone that is osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a quite well known complication of radiotherapy of head and neck tumours. Secretory otitis media, conductive deafness, excretion of sequesters through external auditory canal, inflammation and atresia of external auditory canal are common findings during examination. Cases of disseminated osteoradionecrosis need to be qualified for operation due to potential intratemporal and intracranial complications. Radical excision of necrotic tissue gives possibility of parallel cochlear implantation among patients with total bilateral deafness, which is a consequence of radiotherapy.

Aims: Aim of this study was clinical and epidemiological analysis of consequences and complications inside temporal bone which occurred after radiotherapy in the head and neck area. Conservative and surgical treatment possibilities according to progression of postradiant changes and severity of ailments were analyzed. Circumstances of conducting lateral petrosectomy with parallel cochlear implantation in case of osteoradionecrosis proceeding with total bilateral deafness were highlighted.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 12 patients treated in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical University of Warsaw in 2000-2010 for postradiant consequences and complications inside the temporal bone was performed. The diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis was based on clinical ENT examination including meticulous microscopic examination, audiologic evaluation and CT scans of temporal bone.

Results: The group consisted of 5 men and 7 women. In 8 patients changes were unilateral and in 4 - bilateral. In total, 16 cases (ears) of osteoradionecrosis in the area of temporal bone were analyzed. Patients were mainly complaining about hearing loss or deafness, tinnitus, otalgia, otorhoea, feeling of fullness and distension in the ear. Presence of effusion in the middle ear was an indication for ventilation tube insertion. Cases of ORN potentially endangered by further complications needed surgical treatment, therein lateral petrosectomy. Case of osteoradionecrosis proceeding with total bilateral deafness needed a concurrent cochlear implantation. Only the patients with diffuse osteoradionecrosis confirmed by CT scans ere qualified for surgery.

Conclusions: Radiotherapy of head and neck tumours is charged with risk of complications, both early and appearing later after therapy. Osteoradionecrosis is found many years after radiation and the course of illness is repeatedly tricky and potentially life-threatening. In the face of complications resulting from the essence of illness surgical treatment, therein lateral petrosectomy is necessary. Complications of radiotherapy cannot eliminate it as a method of independent treatment nor combined with other methods.