The antiphlogistic-rheological infusion protocol ("Stennert's protocol") for the treatment of cochleo-vestibular disorders

The pathogenetic mechanisms of acute cochleo-vestibular lesions are still u nknown, but viral infections and vascular phenomena with impairment of micr ovascular perfusion are thought to play a major role. Between 1 July, 1986 and 28 February 1998, 1501 patients were treated with an infusion protocol using cortisone, dextrane 40 and pentoxifylline. Group 1 contained 1001 pat ients with sudden hearing loss, group 2a 107 patients with isolated tinnitu s and group 2b 393 patients with labyrinthine disorders (among which were 8 1 patients with cochleovestibular dysfunction). The records were evaluated retrospectively. In group 1 complete hearing recovery occurred in 44.8%, pa rtially in 40.4%, no change in 12.1% and worsened in 2.6%. In group 2a with isolated tinnitus 17.9% had a complete recovery, 43.9% partial recovery, 3 5.5% no change and 2.8% worsened symptoms. In group 2b vertigo disappeared in 56.8%, had partial recovery in 21.0% and did not change in 7.4%. In the 1501 patients treated, no significant side-effects were found to the medica l interventions used. From these results we conclude that the infusion prot ocol is safe and effective in the treatment of cochleo-vestibular disorders .