Unilateral Meniere's disease: is the contralateral ear normal?

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Unilateral Meniere's disease can present with subclinical findings in the contralateral ear.
• Previous research indicates otoadmittance changes reflect intracochlear pressure in hydropic ears.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate otoadmittance parameters in the asymptomatic ears of patients with unilateral Meniere's disease.
• To determine the prevalence of latent hydrops in contralateral ears.

Main Methods:

• Otoadmittance parameters were assessed in 73 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease.
• Fifty-nine patients completed the study with satisfactory traces and dehydration.
• Glycerol was used to induce dehydration and assess intracochlear pressure changes.

Main Results:

• A significant change in maximum conductance, indicative of hydrops, was observed in 24 out of 59 patients (40.7%).
• These functional abnormalities were similar to those found in symptomatic hydropic ears.
• The findings suggest latent hydrops is prevalent in asymptomatic contralateral ears.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of functional abnormalities in asymptomatic contralateral ears precludes their use as controls in research.
• Identifying latent hydrops early can significantly alter the management and treatment strategies for Meniere's disease.