| Introduction: Cisplatin chemotherapy causes ototoxicity manifested as sensorineural hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Ototoxicity is induced via damage to the inner ear by reactive oxygen species. Dexamethasone reduces reactive species and has a well-documented history of transtympanic clinical use for various cochlear disorders.;Material and Methods: Pre- and post-treatment Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) were compared to measure threshold changes in 58 guinea pigs. The optimal ototoxic dose of cisplatin, the safety of dexamethasone and the effect of dexamethasone on cisplatin ototoxicity were examined.;Results: Cisplatin at a dose of 12 mg/kg induces significant hearing loss (p < 0.05) with minimal mortality. Transtympanic dexamethasone in cisplatin-treated guinea pigs showed signs of otoprotection particularly in the lower frequencies.;Conclusion: Transtympanic dexamethasone presents as a simple, safe and potentially effective treatment modality against cisplatin ototoxicity.;Objectives: Determine the effect of transtympanic dexamethasone on cisplatin ototoxicity in a guinea pig animal model. |
