Meniere's Disease
Leona Šupljika Gabelica
Mentor: 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
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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?
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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 lowpressure 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/menieresdisease/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.