Intratympanic gentamicin therapy for vertigo in nonserviceable ears

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurology
• Vestibular System

Background:

• Intratympanic ototoxic agents are established for Meniere's disease vertigo management with hearing preservation.
• Expanding indications for intratympanic gentamicin is explored for patients lacking serviceable hearing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of intratympanic gentamicin for vertigo control in patients with nonserviceable hearing from diverse end-organ pathologies.
• To assess the safety and effectiveness of unilateral vestibular ablation using serial intratympanic gentamicin injections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 6 patients with vertigo and nonserviceable hearing.
• Conditions included delayed endolymphatic hydrops, Meniere's disease, and poststapedectomy vertigo.
• Evaluations included electronystagmography (ENG), audiometry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); rotational testing monitored vestibular response.

Main Results:

• All 6 patients achieved successful vertigo control.
• Follow-up ranged from 10 to 69 months.

Conclusions:

• Intratympanic gentamicin is a minimally invasive, ambulatory, low-morbidity, and cost-effective vertigo management option.
• This therapy is suitable for patients with nonserviceable hearing and various peripheral vestibular disorders.