title: Oxymetazoline ototoxicity in a chinchilla animal model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate possible ototoxic effects of a one-time application of oxymetazoline drops in a chinchilla animal model with tympanostomy tubes. Study Design. A prospective, controlled animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Research Institute of the Montreal's Children Hospital, McGill University Health Centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ventilation tubes were inserted in both ears of 12 animals. One ear was randomly assigned to receive oxymetazoline drops (0.5 mL). The contralateral ear did not receive any drops, serving as a control ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured bilaterally for a wide range of frequencies (between 1 and 16 kHz) before and 1 day after the application of oxymetazoline in the experimental ears. Two months later, the animals were sacrificed and all cochleae were dissected out and processed for scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this established chinchilla animal model, the measured distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes and the morphological appearance on scanning electron microscopy were similar for both control and experimental ears.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oxymetazoline did not cause ototoxicity in a chinchilla animal model 2 months after a single application via a tympanostomy tube.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. sam.daniel@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Sam J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Olubunmi V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Akinpelu
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahmkow
authors.forename: W Robert J
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Funnell
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akache
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002682:Chinchilla; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000187:drug effects*; D010109:Oxymetazoline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D054738:Scala Vestibuli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D010109:Oxymetazoline