[Long-term results of gentamycin therapy of Menière's disease].

During the years 1976 to 1987, 82 patients with Ménière's disease received a tympanoclysis with gentamicin on a daily basis. Dosage was titrated up to the initial symptoms of vestibular or cochlear intoxication. Sixty-four patients filed for a complete follow-up examination; it was possible to interview 15, while three patients were lost. Vertigo was eliminated in 70 (89%) cases. Nine patients (11%) remained disabled, while demonstrating typical paroxysmal positional vertigo in three cases. Speech discrimination improved in 13%, stabilized in 54%, and deteriorated in 33%. Hearing improved significantly better if, preoperatively, there had been low frequency loss rather than a flat audiogram. HALLPIKE's caloric test demonstrated residual vestibular activity in 72 percent. In the author's opinion, tympanoclysis with gentamicin offers a technically simple, riskless, and effective method to rehabilitate patients with disabling Ménière's disease.