A comparison of electrocochleography and high-pass noise masking of auditory brainstem response for diagnosis of Ménière's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To study differences between electrocochleography (ECochG) and cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) in diagnosis of Ménière's disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective case review from a tertiary referral center.

STUDY SAMPLE: Thirty patients suspected to have Ménière's disease were assessed by ECochG and CHAMP tests.

RESULTS

Positivity of ECochG with SP/AP amplitude ratio >.40 or >.35 was compared with CHAMP V-delay or CHAMP R × D. Positive ECochG results were found in 43% (>.40 SP/AP ratio) and 63% (>.35 SP/AP ratio) of patients, comparing to positive CHAMP V delay in 27% and CHAMP R × D in 30% of patients. A significant difference (p <.01) was found between ECochG and CHAMP in diagnostic sensitivity. Also, a positive inter-aural correlation was found in CHAMP results (p <.003), but not in ECochG (p =.082) results.

CONCLUSIONS

ECochG is a more sensitive test than CHAMP in detecting the presence of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's patients. CHAMP covaried interaurally in unilateral Ménière's patients whereas ECochG did not.