Analysis of the treatment effects of refractory sudden total frequency deafness with steroid from different topical administration routes

Abstract

Objective:To compare the efficacy between intratympanic dexamethasone and postauricular injection of methylprednisolone treatment for refractory sudden total frequency deafness. Method:Forty-eight cases of refractory sudden total frequency deafness were randomly divided into A group and B group (n=24 in each group). A group received intratympanic injection of dexamethasone 0.5 ml, and B group received postauricular injection of methylprednisolone 40 mg. Both treatments were performed once every other day for 2 weeks. The hearing was reviewed 2 weeks after the treatment. Result:In A group, 1 case was cured, 2 cases were markedly effective, 6 cases were effective, 15 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 37.5%; in B group, 0 cases were cured, 1 case was markedly effective, 4 cases were effective, 19 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 20.8%. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the total effective rate (P>0.05). The average PTA of patient in the A group and B group were respectively increased by (15.13±11.77) dB and (8.71±9.72) dB, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.059, P<0.05). Conclusion:Both topical injection treatments of glucocorticoids can be recommended for patients with refractory sudden total frequency deafness, while intratympanic dexamethasone may be more advantageous in improving hearing threshold.