Transient interruption of unilateral tinnitus by fentanyl and propofol in a patient with neuromuscular disorder.

A 64-year-old man with left-sided tinnitus since September 2003 underwent left atrial catheter ablation for atrial flutter that he had been experiencing since 1999. For the procedure, he was anesthetized with a cumulative intravenous dosage of 700 mg propofol and 0.5 mg fentanyl over 2.5 hours. The patient's tinnitus had completely disappeared after he awoke from the anesthesia. Ten days after the procedure, however, tinnitus recurred. In conclusion, high-dose intravenous fentanyl and propofol transiently discontinue unilateral, idiopathic tinnitus. The observed effect may have implications for the treatment of tinnitus.