Acid-base equilibrium in Menière's disease.

57 patients suffering from Meiere's disease have been examined: metabolic alkalosis has been found in 39 and metabolic acidosis in 4. Electrolytes (Na, K and Cl) were normal. Among the 31 subjects in the control series a slight metabolic alkalosis qas detected only twice. Follow-up of several patients, from one to three years, resulted in a realization of a parallel between metabolic disturbance and Meniere symptoms. A provocation test, by sodium bicarbonate oral administration, has beem attempted twice: in both instances alkalosis did increase strongly but, only once, vertigo was elicited. Meniere patients found in alkalosis were given acidifying drugs to normalize their acid-base equilibrium. Such treatment proved effective in preventing acute cochleo-vestibular crises and in improving tinnitus and deafness (in the fluctuating stage). On the interruption of treatment symptoms reappeared. The physiological-pathological significance of metabolic alkalosis in Meniere's disease still remains unclear and, consequently, this can be considered merely a predisposing factor in endolymphatic hydrops.