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Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear

Jumah G Ahmad1, Kenny F Lin2

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery
|August 23, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder, despite some theories suggesting it's related to vestibular migraine. Current evidence strongly supports an inner ear origin for Ménière's disease, requiring further research for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neurology
  • Vestibular Disorders

Background:

  • Ménière's disease presents with vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pressure, with ongoing debate regarding its cause and optimal management.
  • While some propose Ménière's disease is a form of vestibular migraine due to symptom overlap and migraine treatment efficacy in some patients, classical understanding points to an inner ear origin.

Approach:

  • Review of current evidence comparing Ménière's disease and vestibular migraine.
  • Analysis of genetic, histologic, and imaging findings in Ménière's disease.
  • Evaluation of treatment efficacy for Ménière's disease.

Key Points:

  • Symptom overlap and positive response to migraine treatments suggest a link between Ménière's disease and vestibular migraine.
  • Stronger evidence supports Ménière's disease as an inner ear disorder, evidenced by genetic/histologic changes (hydrops), imaging findings, low-frequency hearing loss, and positive outcomes with inner ear-targeted treatments or ablation.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence predominantly supports Ménière's disease as a primary disorder of the inner ear.
  • Further research is essential to elucidate the precise mechanisms of Ménière's disease and enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

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