Radiotherapy-induced Pathology of the Ear

Kaitlyn A Brooks; Jennifer H Gross

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2023.05.013

Radiotherapy-induced Pathology of the Ear

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2023 Oct;56(5):977-985. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.05.013. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Authors

Kaitlyn A Brooks¹, Jennifer H Gross²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. Electronic address: Jennifer.helen.gross@emory.edu.

PMID: 37414656
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2023.05.013

Abstract

Acute radiotherapy (RT)-induced external ear soft tissue changes start with erythema and dry desquamation and may progress to moist desquamation and epidermal ulceration. Chronic RT-induced changes include epithelial atrophy and subcutaneous fibrosis. Although RT-induced radiation dermatitis has been well studied, interventions for soft tissue disease involving the external auditory canal (EAC) warrant investigation. Medical management includes topical steroid treatment for EAC radiation dermatitis and topical antibiotic therapy for suppurative otitis externa. Hyperbaric oxygen and pentoxifylline-vitamin E therapy have shown promise for other applications, but their clinical effect on soft tissue EAC disease is currently undefined.

Keywords: External auditory canal; External ear; Otitis externa; Radiation-induced dermatitis; Radiotherapy; Soft tissue pathologic condition.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Dermatitis* / drug therapy
Ear Canal
Humans
Otitis Externa* / drug therapy
Steroids

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Steroids