title: [Clinical investigation of different routes of administration of dexamethasone on sudden deafness].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the therapeutic effects of conventional treatment with different routes of administration of dexamethasone on sudden deafness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-four patients with sudden deafness were included in this prospective randomized study. Twenty one patients (group 1) were treated with taking dexamethasone orally combined with conventional methods. Another 21 patients (group 2) were treated with intravenous dexamethasone injection combined with conventional methods. Group 3 (21 patients) were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injection by the way of external ear combined with conventional methods. The other 21 patients (group 4) were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injection by the way of pharyngotympanic tube combined with conventional methods. The hearing gains at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz and the mean values were compared among four groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average hearing gains of 1, 2, 3 and 4 group was 21.3 dB, 27.5 dB, 43.2 dB and 48.1 dB respectively. Group 3 and group 4 had statistical difference compared with group 1 and group 2 in the average hearing gains. There was no obviously statistical difference between group 1 and group 2 and between group 3 and group 4. In patients with PTA < or = 70 dB, the average hearing gains at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz had no obvious difference (P > 0.05) among four groups. However, in patients with PTA > 70 dB, there was statistical difference between group 1, 2 and group 3, 4 (P < 0.05), the hearing gains of group 3. 4 were apparently higher than that of group 1, 2. However, there was no significant difference of hearing gains between group 1 and group 2 (P > 0.05) and between group 3 and group 4 (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conventional drug treatment with taking dexamethasone orally or intravenous dexamethasone injection had no obvious effect on sudden deafness with PTA > 70 dB, but the conventional drug treatment with intratympanic dexamethasone injection is a useful treatment for sudden deafness. Comparison with whole body administration, intratympanic dexamethasone injection is more convenient to use in clinic, and with less prohibitions and complications. Patients with PTA > 70 dB should take intratympanic dexamethasone injection in early days.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Guizhou Province People's Hospital, Guiyang 55002, China. pengyikun2002@sina.com
authors: Yikun
authors: Y
authors: Peng
authors: Shizheng
authors: S
authors: Xiong
authors: Yonghua
authors: Y
authors: Cheng
authors: Yi Fei
authors: YF
authors: Qi
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone