XXI The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Ear

Borsanyi, Steven J.; Blanchard, Cyrus L.; Thorne, Bert

doi:10.1177/000348946107000121

Cited by 60 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This study confirms the observations of Borsanyi, Blanchard and Thorne (1961) in regard to the small shift in the hearing threshold which occurs selectively in some patients following radiotherapy for malignant tumours of the head and neck. Their reasons for this shift and speculations on early and delayed changes in hearing are, however, not entirely convincing and further supporting evidence is still required.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…A definite increase in the excitability of the labyrinth was observed in about half of the patients which was related to the weakening of inhibitory activity of the cerebral cortex. Borsanyi, Blanchard and Thorne (1961) investigated the hearing of patients treated by telecobalt in the head and neck area. Only small shifts in hearing thresholds were observed in a limited number of cases.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Effects on the Hearing of Patients Treated by Irradiation in the Head and Neck Area

Dias

1966

J. Laryngol. Otol.

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Ix the treatment by irradiation of malignant tumours in certain areas of the head and neck, the whole auditory apparatus lies within the radiation fields (Figs, i and 2) and may therefore be subject to its full effects. Probably because these effects are not very noticeable, and because no significant damage was observed in the past despite widespread use of irradiation for several other disorders of the ear, little attention has been paid to this subject both by radiologists and otolaryngologists. The literature, in consequence, is very scanty considering the huge amount that has been written about ionization effects in other areas of the body.Desjardins (1931) reviewing thoroughly the earlier animal experiments (Ewald, 1905;Marx, 1909; Chilow, 1927; Thielemann, 1928) which are chiefly related to the ionization effects in the labyrinth, considered the work of those authors inconclusive. He attributed the changes observed in the inner ear to surgical trauma during implantation of capsules containing the radioactive substances and to other mechanical effects of such intervention. Cullen and Girder (1933) were the first to investigate the effects of irradiation on hearing. The dogs they submitted to small doses of X-rays showed an increase in hearing of about 5-5 decibels. This increase would appear after a latent period of about 11 days and last between 2 to 5 weeks after which time hearing would return to initial levels. One animal exposed to a cumulative dose up to IT,100 r. showed no impaired hearing during or after the experiment.Novotny (1951) studying the ionization effects in guinea-pigs found a decrease in the hearing of about 8-4 db. at a frequency of 4,000 c.p.s. There were no changes in the histology of the inner ear and no alteration in the intralabyrinthine pressure.Kozlov (1958) also found a decrease in the hearing of guinea-pigs exposed to irradiation. This impairment was in the range of 3 • 9 to 9 • 1 db., and involved all frequencies between 500 and 8,000 c.p.s.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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confidence: 99%

Effects on the Hearing of Patients Treated by Irradiation in the Head and Neck Area

Dias

1966

J. Laryngol. Otol.

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“…There have been no reports in the western literature of radiation induced changes in the human ear undergoing treatment for head and neck tumors until Borsanyi, Blanchard and Thorn in 1961 studied 100 patients undergoing radiation for the treatment of head and neck tumors. 10 Most of them were retrospective studies and pretreatment audiological evaluation was not always available. Some studies also used large radiation doses, up to 24000 rads 22 that would have little relevance to modern clinical practice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Early and temporary changes in inner ear are transient in nature. 10 Delayed vascular changes are related to changes in collagen content of the vascular framework that lead to a permanent hearing loss. 3 However, the degree to which an ear may be affected by radiation during treatment for malignancies of head and neck cannot be predicted, as is the time of onset.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Radiotherapy on Auditory and Vestibular Function

Nilakhe¹

2014

An International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Clinics

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Introduction: Radiotherapy either primary or adjuvant, is a commonly used modality of treatment in head and neck malignancies. The audiovestibular apparatus is often within the fields of radiation treatment, and hearing loss is a possible complication. This study was undertaken to assess the audio vestibular functions in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck malignancies to determine the type and severity of hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction following radiation therapy.

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“…Radiation causes excitation of molecules and release of ions and free radicals that are capable of affecting enzymatic 1,2 activities. Radiation hearing loss could result from cumulative effects of therapeutic radiation or acute high level 3,4 radiation exposure .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post irradiation hearing loss in head/neck patients in Lagos, Nigeria

Somefun

Ajekigbe²,

Dawotola³

et al. 2006

West Afr. J. Rad.

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A prospective study was conducted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital on patients with malignancies of the head and neck region treated with external beam irradiation type and severity of hearing loss. Each patient had a preirradiation and post irradiation pure tone audiogram at 3 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months. Following completion of radiotherapy serial post irradiation audiogram threshold was compared with pre-treatment threshold. An increase of 10 dB HL (decibel hearing level) or greater was considered significant. Radiation dose ranged from 45-55Gy in twenty to twenty-five fractions per weeks over four to five weeks treatment. Patients that received chemotherapy as adjunctive to therapy during the period of the study were excluded.A total of 40 patients (80 ears) completed the audiological follow up out of ninety four patients seen during the study period .Age ranged between 4-79 years. The tumor site distribution showed 20% in the nasopharynx, 25% in the larynx, 15% in the nose and paranasal sinuses and 10% in the parotid. 7.5% in the oral cavity and mandible respectively and 5% in the ear. Majority 33 (82.5%) were sqaumous carcinoma, 10% were sarcoma and 5% were adenocarcinoma.Pre-radiation hearing assessment revealed 62 ears (77.5%) with normal hearing, 8ears (10%) with mild SNHL and 5 ears (6.25%) with mild and moderate CHL respectively. Final post radiation hearing assessment after 6 months revealed normal hearing in 64 ears (80%), 11 ears (13.8%) with mild SNHL and 2 ears (2.5%) with moderate SNHL. 1.25% with moderate conductive hearing loss and 2 ears (2.5%) with mixed loss. Negative effect of radiotherapy post radiation was seen in 5 ears (6.25%) mainly in mandibular, parotid and ear tumours.

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XXI The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Ear

Cited by 60 publications

References 7 publications

Effects on the Hearing of Patients Treated by Irradiation in the Head and Neck Area

Effects on the Hearing of Patients Treated by Irradiation in the Head and Neck Area

Effects of Radiotherapy on Auditory and Vestibular Function

Post irradiation hearing loss in head/neck patients in Lagos, Nigeria

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