OBJECTIVE: Transtympanic steroids are increasingly used in the treatment of inner ear disorders; especially in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).The aim of the present study was to verify the efficacy and the prognostic factors of transtympanic Methylprednisolone to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure of systemic steroid therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on patients affected by idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who were treated before with systemic therapy, but without recovery of hearing. A solution of Methylprednisolone acetate (MP) 40 mg/ml was then injected through the posterior-inferior quadrant filling completely the middle ear. The follow-up in the following 6 weeks included an audiogram at one, three and six weeks after the injection.
RESULTS: 38 patients treated with Methylprednisolone acetate. It was done with a mean delay of 31.4 days from the onset of symptoms. Mean of Pure-tone audiometry (PTA), performed before transtympanic treatment, was 81.3 ± 24.5 SD dB. After six week of local steroid administration, mean PTA was 42.5 ± 21.6 SD dB.
CONCLUSIONS: Transtympanic Methylprednisolone should be suggested to all patients who failed the first systemic treatment.