A new clinical trial was recently done at the London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Doctors are injecting steroids inside the ear of patients affected with Meniere’s disease. The study’s aim is to reduce all symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease and hopefully provide a better quality of life.

Meniere’s disease is known to affect the inner ear, specifically the labyrinth. This disease is characterized by dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a sensation of pressure inside the ear and progressive hearing loss. The cause is unknown but is believed to be due to an overflow of endolymph, a fluid found inside the ear. The fluid flows into other areas of the ear, thereby causing further damage.

The procedure lasts for only ten minutes. It is done by injecting a needle inside the affected ear about one inch deep. This is to administer steroids directly into the affected ear parts to reduce inflammation and swelling. The patient is then made to lie down for around 30 minutes to wait for the steroids to act.

Although the procedure is quite painful, it is considered to be gentler compared to using gentamycin. It has also effectively relieved tinnitus and vertigo. There are no known side effects even a month after treatment.

From Mail Online:

The scientists heading up the trial are hopeful that it could help thousands. ‘These steroid jabs are the hottest trial for Ménière’s disease,’ says Professor Adolfo Bronstein, head of neurotology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and principle investigator of the trial.

Posted in Steroids