Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It results from endolymphatic hydrops, where fluid builds up in the inner ear. Symptoms include periods of dizziness, fluctuating hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. It typically affects people in their 40s and 50s and is more common in women. Treatment involves medications to reduce vertigo and fluid buildup like diuretics. For severe cases, surgical procedures can be performed to control vertigo either destructively by damaging inner ear structures or nondestructively by decompressing the inner ear.

1. MENIERE’S
DISEASE

2. WHAT IS MENIERE’S
DISEASE?
In 1861 Prosper Meniere described a syndrome characterized
by deafness, tinnitus, and episodic vertigo. He linked this
condition to a disorder of the inner ear.
Underlying pathology of Meniere’s disease is endolymphatic
hydrops.

3. POSSIBLE CAUSES
Anatomicalabnormalities
Genetic-autosomal
dominant
Immunologicalimmune complex
deposition
Viral-serum IgE to
herpes simples virus
types I and II, EpsteinBarr virus and CMV
Vascular-associated
with migraines
Metabolic-potassium
intoxication

4. Normal membranous labyrinth
Dilated membranous labyrinth
in Meniere's disease (Hydrops)

5. AGE DISTRIBUTION AND
INCIDENCE OF THE
DISEASE
40’s and 50’s
Women>Men

6. SYMPTOMS
 Periodic episodes of
rotatory vertigo or
dizziness
Fluctuating,
progressive, lowfrequency hearing loss
Tinnitus
Fullness/pressure

7. DIAGNOSIS:
HISTORY
Association between hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo

8. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
During an acute attack, the patient has
severe vertigo.
Patients are sometimes diaphoretic and
pale.
Vital signs may show elevated blood
pressure, pulse, and respiration.
Spontaneous nystagmus directed toward
affected ear is typical during an acute
attack.

9. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
(CON’T)
oThe Romberg test generally shows
significant instability and worsening when the
eyes are closed.
oThe Weber tuning fork test usually
lateralizes away from the affected ear.
oThe Rinne test : air conduction > bone
conduction.

10. OTHER STUDIES
Magnetic resonance imaging
CT scans
Audiometry
Transtympanic
electrocochleography (ECOG)
Electronystagmography (ENG)

11. TREATMENT
Vestibulosuppressants (eg, meclizine)
decrease the vertigo by decreasing the
brain's response to vestibular input.
Diuretics or diuretic-like medications (eg,
hydrochlorothiazide) actually decrease the
fluid pressure load in the inner ear.

12. TREATMENT
CONT’D
In an acutely vertiginous patient, management
is directed toward vertigo control.
Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) diazepam
provides excellent vestibular suppression and
antinausea effects.
Steroids can be given for anti-inflammatory effects
in the inner ear.
IV fluid support can help prevent dehydration and
replaces electrolytes.

13. TREATMENT
CONT’D
Surgical Care:
Surgical procedures are divided into 2
major classifications as follows:
 Destructive surgical procedures
 Nondestructive surgical procedures

14. SURGICAL
PROCEDURES
CONT’D
Destructive surgical procedures
 Rationale to control vertigo:

15. SURGICAL
PROCEDURES
CONT’D
Nondestructive surgical
procedures:
1. endolymphatic sac decompression or
shunt
2. vestibular nerve section
3. Labyrinthectomy
4. transtympanic medication perfusion.

16. THE END