Tympanic Membrane Injection in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, TX
What is intratympanic gentamicin?
Intratympanic gentamicin injections are a tool used by neurotolgists in the treatment of Meniere’s disease. Gentamicin is an intravenous antibiotic used to treat severe infections. But that is not how it works to treat Meniere’s disease. It is a side effect of gentamicin, called ototoxicity, that makes it an option in the treatment of Meniere’s disease.
What is ototoxicity?
Ototoxicity means that it damages the special cells of the inner ear called hair cells. All aminoglycoside antibiotics have side effects of ototoxicity. The severity depends on the specific antibiotic.
How does damaging the inner ear help Meniere’s disease?
Gentamicin tends to have more effect on the vestibular hair cells than the cochlear hair cells. Using it in a dose dependent fashion, we can increase the odds of vertigo treatment and decrease the odds of hearing loss.
Is gentamicin harmful?
Intratympanic gentamicin is an ablative therapy for Meniere’s disease. We do not consider it early on in Meniere’s disease when non-ablative treatments have not been tried. But in cases that are unresponsive to conservative treatment, intratympanic gentamicin is a very effective treatment.
How does gentamicin affect Meniere’s disease?
The goal is to give the fewest injections needed to control vertigo attacks. Intratympanic gentamicin is absorbed into the inner ear where it destroys the dysfunctional vestibular hair cells of patients with Meniere’s disease. This results in decreased frequency, duration, and severity of vertigo attacks.
What should I expect regarding the injection?
Intratympanic gentamicin is an office procedure. It is well tolerated. It takes approximately 20 minutes in the office. After the procedure, there are no restrictions to activity or work.
Should I be concerned about risks?
Risks are rare but include perforated eardrum, hearing loss, and imbalance. It is typical to feel off balance 3-7 days after the injection. This is a sign that the injection is working as it is intended.
Key points
Intratympanic gentamicin is an advanced treatment for Meniere’s disease that is recommended when conservative treatments fail. It controls vertigo attacks effectively with minimal risks. It is an office procedure with no downtime from work or activities. Call our ent clinic in Dallas, Fort Worth and Frisco to schedule an appointment.