Potential efficacy of early treatment of acute acoustic trauma with steroids and piracetam after gunshot noise.
The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate the early effect of the treatment of acute acoustic trauma (AAT) with steroids and piracetam in a sample of 52 young soldiers who were exposed to intense gunfire noise (G3 rifle). These patients were divided into three groups: (1) group A (20 patients) in which the treatment began within the first hour after the AAT, (2) group B (17 patients) in which the treatment started more than 1 h later and less than 16 h after the AAT and (3) group C (15 patients) in which the treatment began after 24 h or more. One month after the treatment onset, 36 (69%) patients of all the groups showed hearing improvement (complete-partial recovery) in the pure tone audiometry. The greater number of patients who showed complete recovery after AAT was noted in group A (65%) compared to group B (23.5%) and C (13.3%). Moreover, in group A, in the final audiogram, the averaged hearing threshold was statistically better (P < 0.001) than that of groups B and C. In spite of the lack of control group, our data demonstrated the possible effectiveness of the immediate onset of treatment of AAT.
Psillas
George
G
1st Academic ENT Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital 1, Stilponos Kyriakidi St., 540 06, Thessaloniki, Greece. psillasgeo@the.forthnet.gr
Pavlidis
Pavlos
P
Karvelis
Ioannis
I
Kekes
George
G
Vital
Victor
V
Constantinidis
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005389:Firearms; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries; D055815:Young Adult
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010889:Piracetam