title: Potential efficacy of early treatment of acute acoustic trauma with steroids and piracetam after gunshot noise.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 1st Academic ENT Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital 1, Stilponos Kyriakidi St., 540 06, Thessaloniki, Greece. psillasgeo@the.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Psillas
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karvelis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kekes
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vital
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010889:Piracetam