Menierè's disease: is it a bilateral disease?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurology

Background:

• Meniere's disease (MD) diagnosis can be challenging, particularly for bilateral cases.
• Diagnostic criteria for assessing bilateral MD involvement remain debated.
• This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bilateral MD in a patient cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the percentage of bilateral Meniere's disease forms.
• To investigate the diagnostic utility of various tests in identifying bilateral MD.
• To inform treatment strategies for unilateral Meniere's disease.

Main Methods:

• Studied 49 patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease (MD).
• Utilized clinical history, audiometry, glycerol tests, and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR).
• Performed Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in 14 patients for differential diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Elevated hearing thresholds in the contralateral ear were observed in 23 patients.
• Only 7 patients (14.3%) met criteria for definite bilateral MD.
• The contralateral ear involvement occurred a median of 7 years after initial symptoms.
• Submillimeter MR imaging proved crucial for distinguishing MD from Meniere-like syndromes.

Conclusions:

• A conservative surgical approach is advised for unilateral Meniere's disease.
• The potential for developing bilateral MD, even years after initial onset, necessitates caution.
• Early and accurate diagnosis, including advanced imaging, is vital for managing Meniere's disease.