SUDDEN DEAFNESS - A RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF DEXTRAN THERAPY

A retrospective evaluation was performed in 112 patients treated during a 10-year period as inpatients with the diagnosis idiopathic sudden hearing loss. Excluding all patients in whom later other diagnoses were established, like Meniere's disease, collagenoses, mumps etc., 101 patients remained. 80 of them had been treated consistently according to a protocol as having idiopathic sudden hearing loss. These patients had all 5-day treatment with low molecular weight dextran and nicotinic acid and vitamin B during 1 month. 68% did completely recover or were markedly improved (>30 dB), another 19% were fairly improved (10-30 dB). Statistical analysis showed that all retrocochlear signs or nystagmus made the prognosis less favorable. To wake up with the hearing loss was more favorable than a daytime debut. A midfrequency loss had always a good prognosis. Because no untreated controls were included in the study, it was not possible to evaluate the specific effect of the treatment. The results obtained from this study have changed the treatment policy in our clinic.