Functional and Morphological Changes of the Nasal Mucosa after Radiotherapy / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functional and morphological changes of the nasal mucosa after radiotherapy in humans. MATERIALS & METHODS: We examined the pathology of the nasal mucociliary system by saccharine transport test and electron microscopy in 18 patients previously treated with radiation therapy. Each patient was asked about prevalence of nasal symptoms before and after radiation therapy with questionare. RESULTS: The patients who received radiation therapy had negative saccharine test results and noted higher prevalence of nasal crust, anosmia, epistaxis etc. after radiation therapy. There was the evidence of recovery from squamous metaplasia about 40 months after radiotherapy in electron microscopic examination. CONCLUSION: Although we could not confirm the results because of the small size of the samples and inconsistency of the duration and dosage of radiation, we found the evidence of recovery from squamous metaplsia. These results may be useful in taking counsel with patients about the complications of radiation therapy and the possibility of recovery of nasal symptoms.