title: Tinnitus: Evaluation of Intratympanic Injection of Combined Lidocaine and Corticosteroids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tinnitus is an annoying problem and until now there is no consensus on its treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this prospective study, we evaluated the effectiveness of intratympanic lidocaine and dexamethasone (ITLD) injections for the management of subjective idiopathic tinnitus (SIT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with SIT attended the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tanta University Hospital, Egypt, between May 2013 and May 2014. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A included 20 patients treated with ITLD injection, and group B included 20 patients treated with intratympanic saline injection as a control. Intratympanic injections were performed four times within 4 weeks in a double-blind manner. At the end of the treatment program, we analyzed the improvement and worsening rates of tinnitus using the following parameters: tinnitus questionnaires, Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI), and loudness matching test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effectiveness rates of the ITLD group reported in the tinnitus questionnaires, the THI and the loudness matching test were 74.3% in all tests, compared to 26.7, 40.0 and 26.7%, respectively, in the saline group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups within 2 months after injection. To analyze the therapeutic effect of ITLD on tinnitus of 6 months duration, the improvement rates reported in the tinnitus questionnaires, the THI and the loudness matching test were 78.5% in all tests in the ITLD group, compared to 40.0, 40.0 and 30.0%, respectively, in the saline group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were statistically significant differences between both groups. ITLD seems to be effective for idiopathic tinnitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tanta University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elzayat
authors.forename: Hossam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Sherif
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hegazy
authors.forename: Takwa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gabr
authors.forename: Abdel-Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: El-Tahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001299:Audiometry; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069555:Injection, Intratympanic; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008012:Lidocaine