[Menière's disease and isosorbide as an oral hyperosmotic agent (author's transl)]

According to a nationwide survey in 1977 and average of 54.7% of Menière's disease patients were unable to function normally in their daily lives. These patients mostly complained of repeated attacks of vertigo (male 40.3%, female 29.2%) (Watanabe et al. 1980). For the purpose of improving the repeated attacks of vertigo, Isosorbide as an oral hyperosmotic diuretic was first administered orally to 21 patients with Menière's disease from November 1979 to January 1981 for reducing the endolymphatic hydrops that can be presumed to be of pathogenetic importance. The electrocochleographic examinations were carried out on these patients at the same time. Usually, the SP/AP wave form in the electrocochleographic examinations appears to be more abnormal in patients with a fluctuating hearing loss or a flat hearing loss. The average of negative SP/AP in 24 patients with Meniére's disease was 0.54. The indication of Isosorbide administration was determined by this particular SP/AP wave abnormality, and clinical of Isosorbide for the patients with Menière's disease were evaluated. In 18 patients who experienced relief, attack of vertigo did not occur in 12 (63%) and vertigo was relieved in six (31%). In two patients with long administration, hearing improvement could already be observed during the period of treatment. The electrocochleographic examinations showed a decrease in the SP/AP wave form. In two patients with short administration, hearing loss was temporarily observed in middle and low frequencies; the hearing loss later improved more than before treatment in these patients. In only one patient, aggravation of hearing was observed after administration, but whether it was a side effect or not, remains to be understood. The period of observation of these results was a mean value of 4 months and 12 days. The Isosorbide therapy in patients with Menière's disease in expected to replace saccus surgery.