Intratympanic gentamicin therapy for control of vertigo in unilateral Menire's disease: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Intratympanic application of gentamicin is a relatively safe and efficient treatment for the reduction of complaints of vertigo attacks associated with Menière's disease. The treatment also reduces the severity of the perceived aural fullness.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of intratympanic gentamicin treatment in patients with unilateral Menière's disease.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial subjects scored vertigo complaints, aural fullness and tinnitus, before, during and up to 1 year after treatment. Hearing loss was monitored with pure tone audiometry.

RESULTS

Gentamicin treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the score for vertigo complaints and the score for perceived aural fullness. A small increase in hearing loss (average 8 dB) was measured in the gentamicin group.