J Korean Pain Soc.  1995 Apr;8(1):65-73.

The Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in the Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Chung SY
• Yoon DM
• Lee MH
• Oh HK

Abstract

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is defined as a sensorineural hearing loss which develops over a period of hours or few days without a definitive causes. The etiology, prognosis, and treatment of SNHL are uncertain. We reviewed records of 76 patients to investigate the efficacy of the stellate ganglion block (SGB)in SNHL. The control group (40 patients) was managed with the medication such as hypaque, heparin, steroid, nicotinic acid, and vitamine. The SGB group (27 patients) was managed with the same medication and SGB (l-2 times/day). Thc efficacy of treatment was evaluated by mean dB of 500, 1000, 2000 Hz on follow up pure tone audiogram. Recovery rate above l5dB was not different between SGB and the control group (52.4 v.s. 52.0 %), though SGB group has much poor prognostic factors. Recovery rate was higher in a case that was treated early. Especially, the recovery rate was 100% when SGB begins within 2 weeks from the onset. Headache and profound type of audiogram were poor prognostic factors. In conclusion, SGB within 2 weeks from the onset is recommanded to improve the recovery rate.

Keyword

Hearing loss; Stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Diatrizoate
Dronabinol
Follow-Up Studies
Headache
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*
Heparin
Humans
Niacin
Prognosis
Stellate Ganglion*
Vitamins
Diatrizoate
Dronabinol
Heparin
Niacin
Vitamins