Lidocaine intradermal injection--a new approach in tinnitus therapy: preliminary report

The efficacy of lidocaine in controlling tinnitus is well documented. It can be administered intravenously or by transtympanic injection. The first method of delivery can produce cardiovascular and central nervous system adverse reactions. The transtympanic injection can bring about slight sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, vomiting, and taste disturbances. To improve on results obtained in persons with tinnitus, the vasoactive drug lidocaine was delivered by a novel intradermal route in 68 patients. The control group, which received intradermal saline injection, included 20 patients with tinnitus. As parameters of evaluation, the self-evaluation scale of subjective disturbance and tinnitus loudness were considered. Significant improvement in level of disturbance and tinnitus loudness was observed both in patients with tinnitus intensity less than 10 dB and in those with tinnitus intensity greater than 10 dB. No significant results were observed in the control group. Of particular interest was the complete absence of unpleasant complications with intradermal lidocaine.