Meniere disease - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Meniere disease (MD) is an episodic auditory and vestibular disease characterized by sudden onset of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sensation of fullness in the affected ear. Earlier in the disease process, all symptoms may not be present.
The cause is unknown, but results in an overproduction or impaired absorption of endolymph in the inner ear.
Diagnosis is made on clinical history and detailed audiology tests; other investigations may be required to exclude other causes.
Dietary changes and diuretics may control symptoms in early stages of the disease; specific medical therapies for vertigo control can be tried if required.
If symptoms persist despite maximal medical therapy, several surgical interventions are available.

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Pure-tone audiometry typical of Meniere disease

Citations

Key Articles

Goebel JA. 2015 Equilibrium Committee amendment to the 1995 AAO-HNS guidelines for the definition of Ménière's disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Mar;154(3):403-4.[Abstract]
Basura GJ, Adams ME, Monfared A, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Ménière's disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Apr;162(suppl 2):S1-55.[Abstract][Full Text]
Lopez-Escamez JA, Carey J, Chung WH, et al; Classification Committee of the Barany Society; Japan Society for Equilibrium Research; European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (EAONO); Equilibrium Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS); Korean Balance Society. Diagnostic criteria for Menière's disease. J Vestib Res. 2015;25(1):1-7.[Abstract][Full Text]
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: hearing loss and/or vertigo. 2018 [internet publication].[Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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