Overview

Intratympanic is an advanced technological therapy used in Neuro-otology to treat inner ear diseases such as Ménière's disease, acute sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and dizziness—and vertigo-inducing vestibular disorders. It involves the direct administration of medication into the middle ear through the eardrum (tympanic membrane) so that the medicine can reach the inner ear (vestibular apparatus and cochlea) effectively. Intratympanic is effective, precise, non-surgical, safe, and a suitable alternative for patients who are unresponsive to intravenous or oral medication. Such a drug delivery system is administered by ENT specialists in an outpatient setting, providing exact therapy with minimal systemic side effects.

Internal Ear Disorders Treated through Intratympanic Therapy

The following disorders recover through Intratympanic therapy:-

Ménière's Disease - Such condition caused by an abnormal formation of fluid in the internal ear, affects individuals with the following issues:-

• Dizziness.
• Deafness or Hearing loss.
• Tinnitus - a sense of ringing in the ears.
• The feeling of fullness or pressure within the ear.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

• Sudden, unanticipated hearing loss in one or both ears in hours or days.
• The patient gets relief from burning sensation or inflammation with IT steroids, retrieving hearing power if administered early.

Vestibular Disorders and Refractory Vertigo

Intratympanic therapy is helpful in the treatment of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance in patients with chronic vestibular dysfunction.

AIED (Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease)

• It is a rare condition in which the immune system penetrates the inner ear and causes progressive hearing loss and vertigo.
• IT steroids inhibit immune-mediated damage.

Drugs Used in Intratympanic Therapy

Doctors have a long list of treatments and medications that they use depending on the condition and effect of their therapeutic impact on the patient:-

Intratympanic Steroids

• Indicated in Ménière's disease, SSNHL, and inner ear autoimmune disease.
• Decreases inflammation and promotes hearing gain.
• Directed use in patients unable to tolerate systemic steroids.

Intratympanic Gentamicin

Amino-glycoside antibiotics are used for patients with disabling vertigo due to Ménière's disease. They work by partially ablation of vestibular function, which reduces the patient's vertigo attack.

Intratympanic

Initial action includes a comprehensive examination of hearing and balance function by conducting specific tests such as Pure Tone Audiometry, Vestibular Function Tests, and Electrocochleography, as well as explaining the procedure, benefits, and risks to the patients.

The patient passes through the ENT clinic under local anaesthesia, positioned on the back with the treated ear upwards. A little local anaesthetic is placed on the eardrum to numb it, and medicine is injected through a needle into the middle ear. The patient is restrained for 20-30 minutes to let the dose get adequately absorbed.

After-Treatment Instructions

• Do not swallow or walk around for a few minutes to prevent leakage of the medication.
• Hold the treated ear up for a few hours.
• Prolonged prohibition from water exposure (swimming or direct ear irrigation) for 24-48 hours.

Frequency & Follow-Up During Treatment

• Steroid treatment with IT takes 3-4 injections over weeks.
• Gentamicin treatment with IT may be 1-2 injections with proper monitoring.

Effectiveness & Advantages of Intratympanic Treatment

Direct Delivery of the Drug

Acting directly within the inner ear with a higher drug concentration in the area of the disease, IT steroids cause no side effects except a few, compared to intravenous medication. IT steroids enhance hearing in as many as 60-70% of SSNHL and work as gentamicin, which notably alleviates vertigo attacks in patients with Ménière's disease.

Minimally Invasive and Well-Tolerated

• General anaesthesia and hospitalization are not required.
• It carries low risks of complications.

Alternative in Patients Unable to Use Oral Steroids

• Safe for diabetic, hypertensive, or gastropathic patients where oral steroids do not show.

Possible Side Effects & Risks

While Intratympanic Therapy is harmless, some minor side effects might be:-

• Transient dizziness or imbalance for a couple of hours post-injection.
• Pain or discomfort at the point of injection.
• Short-term hearing variation (rare).
• Tympanic membrane perforation (very rare, will heal on its own).

Routine follow-up appointments help monitor progress and smooth over any glitches.

Why Tender Palm Hospital for Intratympanic Therapy in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm is the best ENT hospital for Intratympanic Therapy in Lucknow, India. We have experienced team of ENT and Neuro-otology specialists uses advanced diagnostic tools and provide customised treatment with intratympanic steroids or gentamicin, and safe, outpatient-based care for patients with vertigo, Ménière’s disease, SSNHL, and inner ear disorders.

To Seek an Expert Consultation for Intratympanic Therapy in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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