Vascular loops in internal auditory canal as possible cause of Menière's disease

Vascular loops were found in 2 patients diagnosed clinically as having Ménière's disease. A vascular loop was suspected of being present within the internal auditory canal in another patient who complained of tinnitus and vertigo. Diagnosis was performed by air CT cisternography in the former patients and by CT with contrast enhancement in the latter patient. In Case No. 1, the attacks of vertigo disappeared after endolymphatic sac decompression. In Case No. 2, hearing loss progressed despite remission of vertigo. In Case No. 3, the patient had only tinnitus and dizziness. Although it was difficult to definitely conclude that there was a causal relationship between the vascular loop and the clinical symptoms, we felt that there was a need to investigate the vascular loop as a possible cause of vertigo, tinnitus, and progression of sensorineural hearing loss.