Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2026 Aug 3. doi: 10.1007/s00405-026-10483-7. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe real-world hearing outcomes after salvage intratympanic corticosteroid (ITC) therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and incomplete recovery after systemic corticosteroids, emphasizing clinically meaningful recovery.
METHODS: Prospective observational study at a single tertiary center. Patients met ISSNHL diagnostic criteria (≥ 30 dB loss in ≥ 3 consecutive frequencies within 72 h) and received salvage ITC (methylprednisolone 40 mg/mL, weekly for 3 weeks) after absent or incomplete recovery on follow-up audiometry (day 10-15). Primary outcome was PTA4 change from pre-salvage audiogram to last available audiogram (minimum follow-up 1 month). Recovery was categorized using Siegel criteria. Non-parametric methods and Hodges-Lehmann estimators were used.
RESULTS: Of 83 ISSNHL patients, 41 received salvage ITC and were analyzed. In the salvage cohort, 63.4% were women; mean age was 53.3 years (95% CI 46.7-59.9); median follow-up was 11 months (IQR 3-15). Median PTA gain attributed to ITC rescue was 5.0 dB (IQR – 3.8 to 18.8; padj = 0.043). After salvage ITC, 71% showed ≤ 15 dB improvement; 29% achieved ≥ 15 dB. By Siegel criteria, normal hearing was achieved in 7%, mild-to-moderate loss in 34%, and severe loss in 59%.
CONCLUSION: Salvage ITC was associated with a statistically significant but clinically modest hearing gain and a low proportion of complete recovery. Standardized, patient-relevant outcome definitions are needed to support realistic counseling.
PMID:42543417 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-026-10483-7
