Meniere's Disease

Leona Šupljika GabelicaMentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Meniere's Disease• French physician

Prosper Ménière

• 1861

• vertigo caused by inner ear disorders

dizzines and partial loss of hearing in her right ear

vertigo

• “The Starry Night" illustrates his dizziness

• ear pressure and deafness

• tinnitus• vertigo• dizziness• motion sickness• vomiting • tiredness

What is Meniere's disease ?

• Disorder of the inner ear• Affects hearing and balance• Periodic episodes of vertigo or

dizziness • Fluctuating, progressive, unilateral or

bilateral hearing loss • Unilateral or bilateral tinnitus • Sensation of fullness or pressure in one

or both ears • Nausea, vomiting, sweating

What causes Meniere's Disease? (I)

• exact cause - ???• related to endolymphatic hydrops or excess

fluid in the inner ear

Model of inner ear fluid compartments (yellow - perilymphatic space, blue - endolymphatic space)

What causes Meniere's Disease? (II)

• swelling of the endolymphatic sac or other tissues in the vestibular system of the inner ear

• endolymphatic duct may be obstructed by scar tissue, or be narrow from birth

• too much fluid secreted by the stria vascularis

What are the risk factors?

• Middle ear infection • Stress • Syphilis • Fatigue • Head injury • History of allergies • Recent viral infection • Smoking • Respiratory infection • Alcohol use

Diagnosis

• complaints and medical history• detailed otolaryngological examination

• audiometry• head MRI scan - to exclude a tumour of the

vestibulocochlear nerve

• no definitive test for Ménière's - diagnosed when all other causes have been ruled out !!

Treatment (I)

• modification of personal habits

• diet• stress

reduction • regular

exercise • medications

Treatment (II)

• restoring balance in the hydrodynamic system of the inner ear by applying low-pressure pulses to the middle ear

References

• Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. Accessed on 9 September 2008

• Meniere disease at Dorland's Medical Dictionary • Ménière's disease at Who Named It? • Meniere's disease symptoms". Mayo Clinic. 2008-06-18.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menieres-disease/DS00535/DSECTION=symptoms. Retrieved 2008-10-17.

• Hazell, Jonathan. "Information on Ménière's Syndrome"". http://www.tinnitus.org/home/frame/meniere.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-27.