1995 Volume 1995 Issue Supplement78 Pages 83-88
Substantiated treatment methods for sudden deafness have not been established. We administered a batroxobin preparation (DefibraseR) with a steroid to 17 patients with sudden deafness, most of whom were resistant to a steroid therapy regimen in previous treatment, and observed symptom improvements in 17 respective ears. Results showed 76.5% mild or better improvement. Because the majority of the subjects were steroid resistant, this rate can be considered relatively high. No side effects were detected, but plasma fibrinogen levels decreased to 50 mg/dl or below in 8 patients during the treatment regimen. This point remains to be investigated to confirm the drug's safety. Steroid and batroxobin are assumed to act via different modes of action. It is worthwhile to try batroxobin for patients with sudden deafness whose symptoms and disease are intractable when administering steroids.
