Intratympanic methylprednisolone improves hearing function in refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a control...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical condition often treated with systemic steroids.
• A significant portion of patients do not respond to initial intravenous (IV) steroid treatment.
• Alternative or adjunctive therapies are needed for refractory SSNHL cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of intratympanic (IT) steroid treatment in patients with SSNHL who failed to respond to intravenous (IV) steroid therapy.
• To compare IT steroid injections with steroid ear drops and a control group in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 65 patients with SSNHL refractory to IV prednisolone.
• Patients were assigned to three groups: IT methylprednisolone injections, methylprednisolone ear drops, or a blank control group.
• Audiometric evaluations were conducted at baseline and two months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• The IT steroid group showed a significant improvement in hearing thresholds compared to the ear drop and control groups.
• Average hearing thresholds improved from 64.8 dB to 52.9 dB in the IT group.
• 37% of patients in the IT group experienced significant hearing improvement; complications were minimal.

Conclusions:

• Intratympanic steroid therapy is an effective treatment for improving hearing function in SSNHL patients.
• IT steroid injections represent a promising therapeutic strategy for cases resistant to systemic steroid treatment.
• The safety profile of IT steroid treatment in this context is favorable, with low rates of serious complications.