[Significance of some otologic function tests in diagnosis of Meniere's disease].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the significance of vestibular function battery and electrocochleogram on diagnosis of Meniere's disease.

METHOD: Patients with Meniere's disease were given pure tone hearing threshold test, auditory brainstem responses (ABR), electrocochleogram (ECoG), vestibular bithermal caloric test and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test.

RESULT: (1) As for the bithermal caloric test, the percentage of the abnormal canal paresis (CP) at three durations, i.e. , 0 to approximately 5 years, 6 to approximately 10 years and over 11 years were 56.9%, 75.9% and 61.6% respectively. The total positive rate was 50.0%. CP and duration of Meniere's disease had low correlation (P < 0.05). (2) The percentage of the abnormal VEMP at three durations, i.e., 0-5 years,6-10 years and over 11 years were 57.4%, 60% and 57.1% respectively. The total positive rate was 58.0%. The duration of Meniere 's disease with normal and abnormal VEMP had no significant difference( P >0.05). (3) The percentage of the abnormal ECoG at three durations, i.e., 0-5 years, 6-10 years and over 11 years were 72.1%, 73.3% and 81.3% (49/68,22/30 and 13/16) respectively. The total positive rate was 76.9%. The duration of Meniere's disease with normal and abnormal ECoG had no significant difference (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION

Diagnosis of Meniere's disease is mainly based on the medical history. If it could combine with ECoG, bithermal caloric test and VEMP, the diagnosis would be earlier and more accurate.