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Evidence summaries

Intratympanic Gentamicin for Ménière's Disease

Intratympanic gentamicin may be an effective treatment for vertigo complaints in Ménière's disease, but may carry a risk of hearing loss. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review 1 [Abstract] included 2 RCTs with a total of 50 participants. Both of these trials found a significant reduction in vertigo complaints in the gentamicin group when compared to the placebo group. Due to clinical heterogeneity a meta-analysis could not be performed. One study described an increase in hearing loss in 4 patients (25%) treated with gentamicin while the other described no increase in hearing loss. No other adverse effects were noted by either study.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few studies and few patients).

    References

    • Pullens B, van Benthem PP. Intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière's disease or syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011;(3):CD008234. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords