EFFECTIVENESS OF PULSE METHYLPREDNISOLONE IN TREATING SUDDEN SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS

Abstract

Objectives: Objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Methylprednisolone followed with or without by oral prednisolone in treating (SSNHL) sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Material and methods: This was a prospective interventional study conducted at Ganesh Man Singh Memorial Academy for ENT-Head and Neck Studies, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal including 30 cases. Cases presenting with SSNHL within 7 days of onset were admitted. One gram Methylprednisolone intravenous on day of admission and 500 mg of Methylprednisolone for 2 consecutive days was given. Those who had normal hearing after 3rd dose were discharged without any medications and those who didn’t improve were discharged on oral prednisolone at a dose of 1mg/kg over 11 days. Hearing evaluation was done pure tone audiometer on every third day.

Results: Of the 30 patients, 12 had complete recovery, 6 had partial recovery and 12 had no recovery. Patients falling in the low risk group showed significant improvement compared to high risk group.

Conclusion: Methylprednisolone is effective in treating SSNHL with a short duration of therapy and minimal side effects. However, a study with a larger sample size
will be required to draw a definite conclusion.

Keywords: Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Pulse, Sudden sensorineural hearing loss