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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Transtympanic gentamicin perfusion for the treatment of Meniere's disease
1Nashville EAR Institute, 4230 Harding Rd #803, Nashville, TN 37205, USA.
Abstract:
Meniere's syndrome is defined as the clinical disorder associated with the histopathological finding of endolymphatic hydrops (ELH). Clinically, Meniere's syndrome includes the following features: recurrent, spontaneous episodic vertigo; hearing loss; aural fullness; and tinnitus. Recognized causes of Meniere's syndrome include: 1) idiopathic, also known as Meniere's disease; 2) posttraumatic, following head injury or ear surgery; 3) post-infectious or delayed-onset Meniere's syndrome following a viral infection, usually mumps or measles; 4) late stage syphilitic; 5) classic Cogan's syndrome with episodic vertigo, hearing loss, interstitial keratitis, without syphilis; 6) variant Cogan's syndrome with episodic vertigo, hearing loss, uveitis or other ocular inflammation and without syphilis. Although Meniere's disease is by far the most common cause of Meniere's syndrome and the terms are often used interchangeably, it should be remembered that a patient has an idiopathic etiology only when the known causes have been excluded.
Insights
Meniere's syndrome, characterized by vertigo and hearing loss, is linked to endolymphatic hydrops (ELH). Various causes exist, with Meniere's disease being the most common, but other factors like trauma or infections must be ruled out.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Meniere's syndrome is a clinical disorder associated with endolymphatic hydrops (ELH).
- Key clinical features include episodic vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness.
- While Meniere's disease is the most common cause, other etiologies exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define Meniere's syndrome and its clinical manifestations.
- To outline the recognized causes of Meniere's syndrome.
- To differentiate idiopathic Meniere's disease from other causes.
Main Methods:
- Clinical definition based on characteristic symptoms.
- Histopathological correlation with endolymphatic hydrops (ELH).
- Categorization of causes including idiopathic, posttraumatic, post-infectious, syphilitic, and Cogan's syndromes.
Main Results:
- Meniere's syndrome presents with recurrent vertigo, hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus.
- Identified causes include Meniere's disease, posttraumatic, post-infectious, syphilitic, classic Cogan's, and variant Cogan's syndromes.
- Idiopathic Meniere's disease is diagnosed after excluding other known causes.
Conclusions:
- Meniere's syndrome is a distinct clinical entity associated with ELH.
- A comprehensive differential diagnosis is crucial for accurate Meniere's syndrome classification.
- Distinguishing Meniere's disease from secondary causes ensures appropriate patient management.
