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The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
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The effect of direct application of dexamethasone on the round window membrane in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology volume 33, pages 631–636 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to test the effect of direct application of dexamethasone on the round window (RW) after its adequate exposure following a transcanal approach in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Study design

This investigation was designed to be a prospective cohort study.

Patients and methods

This study included eighteen adult patients with SSNHL who attended our outpatient clinic at Alexandria Main University Hospital between 1 July 2015 and 1 July 2016. Under general anesthesia the small tympanomeatal flap was elevated to visualize the RW. If it was fully exposed, dexamethasone (4 mg/ml) was applied directly over a piece of gel foam; if not fully exposed the overhang was removed first and then dexamethasone was applied. After 2 weeks, a repeat audiogram was taken in all patients in order to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment on their hearing ability.

Results

Post-treatment assessment revealed 50% of patients with variable levels of improvement, whereas 50% did not respond to the given treatment. Of the patients showing improvement, 16.7% had normal hearing levels restored. Thus, direct application of dexamethasone on the RW membrane after its adequate exposure may reverse the hearing deficits in a few patients with SSNHL.

Conclusion

There is a definitive improvement in hearing in patients with SSNHL on direct application of dexamethasone on the RW membrane after its adequate exposure in patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, 21131, Egypt

    Fatthi A. Abdel Baki, Ahmed A. Omran & Khaled M. Hassan (Masters, Specialist)

  2. Department of Audiovestibular unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

    Samir I. Asal

Authors
  1. Fatthi A. Abdel Baki
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  2. Ahmed A. Omran
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  3. Samir I. Asal
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  4. Khaled M. Hassan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Khaled M. Hassan.

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Abdel Baki, F.A., Omran, A.A., Asal, S.I. et al. The effect of direct application of dexamethasone on the round window membrane in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Egypt J Otolaryngol 33, 631–636 (2017). https://doi.org/10.4103/ejo.ejo_49_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ejo.ejo_49_17

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