[Long-term results of transtympanic gentamicin treatment in Meniere's disease].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term hearing and vestibular outcomes in patients with intractable vertigo caused by unilateral Meniere's disease, who were treated with transtympanic injection of gentamicin.

STUDY

DESIGN

the study was a long-term analysis of hearing and control of vertigo in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease who received transtympanic gentamicin.

METHODS

Pure-tone thresholds and ENG, along with the control of vertigo. Criteria described in 1995 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery were used. Patients treated with transtympanic gentamicin had definite Meniere's disease and had intractable vertigo despite optimal medical therapy, no symptoms suggestive of Meniere's disease in the contralateral ear, and serviceable hearing in the contralateral ear. The study analyzed the outcomes of 9 patients for whom follow-up data were available for periods greater than 24 months after transtympanic gentamicin.

RESULTS

Complete control of vertigo was obtained in all 9 patients. Profound sensorineural hearing loss occurred only in 1 patient. Hearing was improved in 6 patients, and in 2 was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Transtympanic gentamicin therapy is a good method of controlling vertigo and the risk of hearing loss is low.