Tinnitus: Evaluation of Intratympanic Injection of Combined Lidocaine and Corticosteroids

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is an annoying problem and until now there is no consensus on its treatment. AIMS: In this prospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of intratympanic lidocaine and dexamethasone (ITLD) injections for the management of subjective idiopathic tinnitus (SIT). METHODS: Forty patients with SIT attended the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt, between May 2013 and May 2014. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A included 20 patients treated with ITLD injection, and group B included 20 patients treated with intratympanic saline injection as a control. Intratympanic injections were performed four times within 4 weeks in a double-blind manner. At the end of the treatment program, we analyzed the improvement and worsening rates of tinnitus using the following parameters: tinnitus questionnaires, Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI), and loudness matching test. RESULTS: The effectiveness rates of the ITLD group reported in the tinnitus questionnaires, the THI and the loudness matching test were 74.3% in all tests, compared to 26.7, 40.0 and 26.7%, respectively, in the saline group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups within 2 months after injection. To analyze the therapeutic effect of ITLD on tinnitus of 6 months duration, the improvement rates reported in the tinnitus questionnaires, the THI and the loudness matching test were 78.5% in all tests in the ITLD group, compared to 40.0, 40.0 and 30.0%, respectively, in the saline group. CONCLUSION: There were statistically significant differences between both groups. ITLD seems to be effective for idiopathic tinnitus.