Tinnitus treatment with hemorrheological infusions, neurotransmitters and lidocain injection - a gradual therapeutic regimen

Background and objective. Cochlear dysfunction and tinnitus are treated by means of hemorrheological infusions in order to increase the cochlear oxyge n supply and restore function of hair cells, neurotransmission and central processing of auditory information. Patients/methods. In a retrospective analysis of the charts of 123 patients treated between February 1993 and May 1994, we analyzed effectiveness and safety of a gradual therapeutic regimen, consisting of dextrane/procaine in fusions, lidocaine i.v. injection and infusion therapy with the neurotransm itter glutamic acid. Results. Tinnitus decreased in 83.7% of patients with acute tinnitus (AT) a nd 16.1% of patients with chronic tinnitus (CT) during dextrane/procaine in fusion. The majority (89%) experienced their tinnitus relief during the fir st 5 days. Treatment with glutamic diethylester and glutamic acid resulted in a 26.5% overall improvement. Application of lidocaine intravenously over a period of 10 min diminished tinnitus loudness or frequency in 16.7% (AT) and 38.9% (CT) of cases respectively. The long-term effects of therapy wer e investigated by a follow-up mailing action: 66.7% of the AT and 15.6% of the CT sufferers stated a clear therapy effect over time. Nonserious side e ffects were noted in 4% of the treated patients. Therefore safety was excel lent. Conclusions. For acute and chronic tinnitus a gradual therapeutic regimen i s recommended: (1) infusions with dextrane and procaine over 5 days; (2) in travenous application of 100 mg lidocaine over 10 min; and if necessary (3) administration of glutamic diethylester and glutamic acid for 3 days. This resulted in overall tinnitus relief in 95.3% of the acute and 26.7% of the chronic tinnitus sufferers.