title: Cervical epidural steroid injection for refractory somatic tinnitus.
abstract: Somatic tinnitus is a common disorder, yet few treatments described in the literature have demonstrated strong efficacy. We report a case of a 61-year-old male with refractory somatic tinnitus, temporally related to a prior bacterial otitis media, wherein auditory symptoms were successfully treated with cervical epidural injections of long-acting corticosteroid. We discuss the proposed mechanism of somatic tinnitus and the means by which neuraxial steroids may inhibit somatic tinnitus symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago/Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Zachary L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Walega
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014221:Triamcinolone
keywords: case report; cervical pain; epidural steroid; refractory pain; tinnitus