Transtympanic iontophoresis of gadopentetate dimeglumine: Preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to demonstrate the feasibility of using iontophoresis to deliver pharmaceutical agents into the middle and inner ear for the treatment of middle and inner ear diseases, which is proved in this study by the successful iontophoresis of the ferromagnetic contrast agent gadopentetate dimeglumine. Study design and setting Eight rabbits were iontophoresed using gadopentetate dimeglumine solution 469 mg/mL. Then, all rabbits underwent magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in the middle and inner ear structures. The study was conducted in the tertiary referral center the University Hospital of Crete.


RESULTS
The high signal intensity of the gadopentetate dimeglumine solution was demonstrated within the middle ear cavity and inner ear structures of all iontophoresed ears and in none of the noniontophoresed ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Transtympanic iontophoresis could be an effective method for the passage of pharmaceutical agents into the middle and inner ear for the treatment of middle and inner ear diseases.
Christodoulou
Panagiotis
P
Otolaryngology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.
Doxas
Panagiotis G
PG
Papadakis
Chariton E
CE
Prassopoulos
Panos
P
Maris
Thomas
T
Helidonis
Emmanuel S
ES
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA