Magnesium: a new therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether treatment with Mg(2+) improves the outcome of idiopathic sudden hearing loss and to investigate which variables influence its prognosis.


METHODS
Prospective randomized study.


METHODS
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.


METHODS
The study group included 133 patients. Sixty patients were treated with carbogen inhalation, and 73 were treated with a combination of carbogen inhalation and intravenous MgSO(4).


RESULTS
The mean improvement rate was 66.4% in the Mg(2+) group and 49.9% in the carbogen group (p < 0.01). Recovery was achieved in 35 patients (48%) in the Mg(2+) group and only in 19 patients (31.6%) in the carbogen group (p < 0.01). Significant improvement was seen in 20 patients (27.4%) in the Mg(2+) group and in 14 patients (23.3%) in the carbogen group. Partial improvement was seen in eight patients (10.9%) in the Mg(2+) group and in 12 patients (20%) in the carbogen group. No improvement was achieved in 10 patients (13.6%) in the Mg(2+) group and in 15 patients (25%) in the carbogen group. Patients with vestibular symptoms had a poorer hearing outcome compared to those without vertigo (p < 0.04). Patients who commenced the treatment 8 days or more after onset had poorer recovery as compared with those who started treatment earlier (p < 0.03), regardless of the treatment regimen. Age, sex, and tinnitus had no significant impact on hearing recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that Mg(2+) improved hearing recovery in cases of idiopathic sudden hearing loss. Vertigo and treatment delay beyond 8 days were poor prognostic factors for recovery.
Gordin
Arie
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Medical Center, PO Box 9602 Haifa, Israel. ariegor@hotmail.com
Goldenberg
David
D
Golz
Avishay
A
Netzer
Aviram
A
Joachims
Henry Zvi
HZ
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; C011700:carbogen; D010100:Oxygen