Tympanic Membrane Injection in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, TX

Intratympanic gentamicin injections are a tool used by neurotologists in the treatment of Ménière’s disease. Gentamicin is an intravenous antibiotic used to treat severe infections. But that is not how it works to treat Ménière’s disease. It is a side effect of gentamicin, called ototoxicity, that makes it an option in the treatment of Ménière’s disease.  

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.  

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.

Intratympanic gentamicin is an ablative therapy for Ménière’s disease. We do not consider it early on in Ménière’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.

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 Ménière’s disease. This results in decreased frequency, duration, and severity of vertigo attacks.

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.  

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.