[Intratympanic gentamicin in Menière's disease].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and toxicity of intratympanic gentamicin injection therapy for intractable vertigo of Menière's disease.

METHOD: Thirteen patients diagnosed of unilateral Menière's disease were given gentamicin 0.5 ml (26.7 mg/ml) intratympanically once a week for two weeks. All the patients were followed-up for at least two years. The result was monitored using the criteria set by Chinese Otorhinolaryngological Academy and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Otorhinlolaryngology in 1996.

RESULT: Complete or substantial vertigo control was achieved in 12 patients (92.3%). Two weeks after treatment, the pure tone (0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz, 3.0 kHz) average hearing threshold had no significant change. 8.0 kHz hearing threshold increased significantly in 3 patients(23.1%). 18-24 months after treatment, the hearing threshold increased significantly in 9 patients respectively. No patient felt improved in tinnitus.

CONCLUSION

Intratympanic gentamicin injection is a simple and cost-effective means for controlling intractable vertigo spelling of Menière's disease, but it also has some toxic effect to hearing.