Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation on Non-Malignant Lesions of the Nasopharynx

Crowe (1) called attention to the fact that lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx, especially the lateral parts, could, as the result of hypertrophy and hyperplasia, cause intermittent or constant blockage of the nasopharyngeal orifices of the eustachian tubes. He noted that such blockage interfered with the normal ventilation of the middle ear cavity and was reflected, most often in children, in decreased hearing. The examination of the ear drums revealed retraction of the tympanic membrane and a reddish blush from the edematous mucosa of the medial wall of the tympanic cavity. Examination with an electric nasopharyngoscope showed actual encroachment of the lymphoid elements on the mouth of the eustachian tube. It was evident that surgical extirpation of the oral and nasopharyngeal lymphoid structures, no matter how complete, could not reach the laterally placed portions in the fossae of Rosenmuller and about the lips of the tubal orifice without causing serious damage to the mucosa and nearby anatomic part...