Due to the increasing incidence of tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo, otolaryngologists are constantly exploring new ways of treatment. In recent years, tympanic injections have gradually increased, and more and more doctors and patients have embraced this new treatment. Below, Dr. Zheng Ligang combines his own experience and current research to talk about how tympanic injection has good effect and few complications.
Recent studies have shown that each patient received intratympanic steroid injections twice weekly for 2-3 weeks as salvage therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Post-injection complications, especially transient dizziness and vertigo, were recorded. Patients with acute or chronic episodes of vertigo within 1 month were excluded.
A total of 59 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated within 1 year, and a total of 278 intratympanic steroid injections were performed. Post-injection complications include pain, numbness of the tongue, transient dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and small persistent perforations. There was no significant difference in the incidence of these complications between the injection sites in the four quadrants of the tympanic membrane. However, vertigo episodes were statistically significant after injection in the posterior lower quadrant (Q3) and posterior upper quadrant (Q4) compared to the anterior upper quadrant (Q1) and anterior lower quadrant (Q2) (P = 0.0113).
Tympanic injection is recommended for the anterior lower quadrant because the anterior upper quadrant and Q4 injections are more likely to cause adverse effects of tongue numbness, while the posterior lower and posterior upper quadrant regions are more likely to cause post-injection vertigo.
If you still have any questions about behind-the-ear injections, please leave a message and communicate with Dr. Zheng Ligang for further communication.