Abstract
A case of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone was described. The patient had received radiotherapy for her nasopharyngeal cancer. Her symptoms of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone, otorrhea and earache, first appeared 5 years after her radiotherapy. Since then, conservative therapy was continued for 5 years, but her symptoms were not controlled with it. Ten years after her radiotherapy, the symptoms worsened rapidly, and the pain became intolerable, which necessitated mastoidectomy. After this surgery, she was free of symptoms until now.
Based on this case, we discussed the pathologic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone. Emphasis was placed on the possibility of the occurence of this pathologic condition among all the patients who have received radiotherapy for malignant tumors of the head and neck or brain.
