Evaluation of effectiveness of stellate ganglion block (SGB) treatment of sudden hearing loss

Abstract

Conclusion: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) based on the goal of improving internal ear circulatory disturbance appears to be beneficial for the treatment of sudden hearing loss. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of SGB for sudden hearing loss. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 49 patients who received SGBs and 496 patients who received only conservative therapy, primarily with systemic steroids, for treatment of sudden hearing loss. Propensity scores were used in pairwise matching of these patients to avoid selection biases between the two treatment modalities. Results: Propensity score matching yielded 48 pairs. The mean therapeutic effect of the SGB was calculated to be 0.40 ± 0.20 (mean ± standard error, p = 0.051).

Keywords::

• Retrospective study
• propensity score
• pairwise matching
• selection bias
• hearing improvement score
• mean therapeutic effect
• internal ear circulatory disturbance
• corticosteroid treatment
• evidence-based medicine
• pain clinic

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful for valuable advice provided by Dr Akihiro Kojima of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tannan Regional Hospital, Professor Kenji Shigemi and Associate Professor Munetaka Hirose of the Department of Anesthesiology & Reanimatology, and Professor Syunsuke Mikami of the Department of Applied Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Fukui.

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.