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Ménière's disease
Lloyd B Minor1, David A Schessel, John P Carey
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-0910, USA. lminor@jhmi.edu
Current Opinion in Neurology
|April 20, 2004
Summary
Ménière's disease management includes lifestyle changes and diuretics. For persistent vertigo, low-dose intratympanic gentamicin injections effectively reduce vestibular function and control symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
Background:
- Ménière's disease presents with vertigo, hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus.
- Pathologically, it involves endolymphatic hydrops distorting the membranous labyrinth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Ménière's disease.
- To discuss current therapeutic strategies for managing Ménière's disease symptoms, particularly vertigo.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for Ménière's disease.
- Analysis of recent findings on the efficacy and mechanisms of gentamicin treatment.
Main Results:
- Initial management may include low-salt diet and diuretics.
- Intratympanic gentamicin injections are effective for persistent vertigo, reducing vestibular function without complete ablation.
- Gentamicin's effects on vestibular function and vertigo control are under ongoing investigation.
Conclusions:
- Vertigo is a primary debilitating symptom of Ménière's disease.
- Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin is a viable option for medically refractory vertigo.
- Further research aims to elucidate gentamicin's precise mechanisms in controlling vertigo.