Mitigation of hearing loss from semi-circular canal transection in pseudomonas otitis media with ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone irrigation.
OBJECTIVE
Irrigation of the mastoid with a quinolone antibiotic-steroid solution may mitigate hearing loss caused by iatrogenic semicircular canal injury in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) otitis media (OM).


BACKGROUND
Studies have shown the cochlea to be more vulnerable to semicircular canal transection (SCT)-related hearing loss in the presence of PA OM. Prophylactic systemic antibiotics and steroids may decrease this hearing loss, but SCT is usually not planned. The aim of this study was to determine if irrigation with ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone (cipro-dex) could improve hearing outcomes following SCT in PA OM.


METHODS
PA OM was induced in 28 animals. After three to five days, unilateral SCT was performed in each animal, with sham SCT on the contralateral ear. At surgery, half of the animals (n = 14) underwent irrigation of the both mastoid bullae with cipro-dex; the second group of animals (n = 14) underwent irrigation of the bullae with sterile saline. Auditory thresholds were obtained immediately prior to SCT and 7-10 days after SCT.


RESULTS
SCT ears treated with cipro-dex showed a mean click threshold improvement of 4.6 dB from pre-transection to 7-10 days post-transection, whereas thresholds in the SCT ears treated with saline worsened by 7.5 dB (p = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
Irrigation of the guinea pig bulla with cipro-dex following SCT in the setting of PA OM appears safe and may yield beneficial effects on hearing.
Shefelbine
Sarah E
SE
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0264, USA.
Young
Linda J
LJ
Antonelli
Patrick J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008416:Mastoid; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D003907:Dexamethasone