Old and new in Ménière disease

The clinical experience is increasing, but still there is no uniform understanding in the substrate of Ménière's disease. The criteria of the diagnosis is loose and great controversy exists in the therapeutic efforts. A bewildering number of concepts and methods have been suggested and praised as the best answers in solving the problem until the next claim of success shatters the popularity of earlier allegations. The array of articles in the world literature for the past 25 years treats the entity of Ménière's disease in general and from the viewpoint of etiology, pathology, histology, clinical diagnosis and treatment. This review is concerned primarily with the treatment aspect of the literature. All the published ideas, regimens and techniques have one significant feature in common. They all claim success but not in 100% of the cases. Recovery varies from about 60% to 80%. Those cases considered "improved" are 20% to 30% and the rate of failure is between 10% and 25%. The diagnostic tools and capabilities have improved considerably. For treatment, except for reasonable medical or surgical palliation, nothing more can be offered than was offered a half century ago.