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Clinical significance of positive summating potential in Menière's disease
1Department of Otolaryngology, Kagawa Medical School, Japan.
Abstract:
The positive summating potential (+SP) in Menière's disease was compared with that in normal ears and in cochlear deafness of other origin than endolymphatic hydrops in order to assess a specificity of the +SP in Menière's disease. The +SP was recorded in 21 of 47 Menière ears (45%) on stimulation with 8-kHz tone bursts, whereas the +SP was recorded in none of 10 normal-hearing ears and in 1 of 28 ears with cochlear deafness of other origin than endolymphatic hydrops (4%). The incidence of the +SP in Meniére's disease was higher on stimulation with 8-kHz tone bursts than with 4-, 2- and 1-kHz tone bursts and clicks. No correlation between SP amplitudes recorded with 2- and 8-kHz tone bursts was found. The results suggest that Menière's disease may involve a pathophysiological condition which allows the +SP to be frequently recorded.
Insights
The positive summating potential (+SP) is frequently detected in Menière
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Menière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear.
- The positive summating potential (+SP) is an electrophysiological response.
- The diagnostic specificity of +SP in Menière's disease requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic specificity of the +SP in Menière's disease.
- To compare +SP incidence in Menière's disease versus normal ears and other cochlear pathologies.
- To determine the optimal stimulation frequency for eliciting +SP in Menière's disease.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of +SP were performed.
- Stimulation involved 8-kHz tone bursts, with comparisons to 4-, 2-, 1-kHz tone bursts and clicks.
- Subjects included patients with Menière's disease, normal-hearing individuals, and patients with other cochlear deafness.
Main Results:
- The +SP was recorded in 45% of Menière's disease ears.
- No +SP was observed in normal-hearing ears (0%).
- Only 4% of ears with other cochlear pathologies showed +SP, with 8-kHz tone bursts yielding the highest incidence in Menière's disease.
Conclusions:
- The high incidence of +SP in Menière's disease suggests a specific pathophysiological basis.
- The +SP, particularly when elicited by 8-kHz tone bursts, may serve as a valuable diagnostic indicator.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying frequent +SP detection in Menière's disease.