Treatment of ipsilateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops.

Nine patients with ipsilateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops were treated. All cases were initially treated by conservative therapy using isosorbide or other drugs and 4 patients have been doing well without surgical intervention, though they occasionally have slight dizziness. Five patients required surgery to control vertigo. Three patients first underwent cochleosacculotomy to maintain the vestibular function in the diseased ear, but vertigo recurred after 6 months in all 3 cases. These 3 patients and another patient who wanted definitive treatment right from the start underwent transmastoid labyrinthectomy which resulted in complete control of vertigo. One patient received chorda tympani nerve section because he did not want his vestibule destroyed. After the nerve section, he has had no vertigo though sometimes dizziness. Transmastoid labyrinthectomy seems to be the best treatment for ipsilateral delayed endolymphatic hydrops.