New possibilities in the treatment of Meniere's disease

Abstract

The results of the treatment of Meniere's disease by intratympanic instillation of gentamicin in 32 patients over a 24-months period were analyzed. The receded vestibular function was found in 96,8% patients whereas in the remaining 3,2% pronounced vestibular hypo function was observed. One month after the treatment vertiginous attacks disappeared in all the patients. However, three months after the treatment infrequent episodes of mild degree vertigo and mild unsteadiness that did not require additional intratympanic gentamicin application appeared in 15% of the patients with Meniere's disease. The vertiginous attacks ceased or were pronouncedly reduced in 85% of the patients. The unstable vestibular hypo function was successfully converted into stabilized, centrally compensated areflexia. Intratympanic gentamicin exerted better results than the other invasive therapies for intractable Meniere's disease.

Keywords

• Meniere's disease
• gentamicins
• administration
• topical
• tympanic membrane