Ménière's disease

Abstract

A fresh translation has been made from Ménière's original papers and a selection taken from the literature showing the progress that has been made in the investigation and treatment of the condition he described.

Ménière's definition pf a disease of the internal auditory apparatus associated with paroxysmal vertigo and tinnitus progressing to a variable deafness still remains valid.

Histological examination of the labyrinth has shown conclusively that there is a general dilatation of the endolymph system with a degeneration of the sensory epithelium. The presence of central changes is shown by the failure of a percentage of cases to respond to section of the eighth nerve.

Observation of the course of the disease has shown that it is subject to remissions and in some cases spontaneous cure.

The majority of cases can be controlled by simple medical treatment such as the elimination of sepsis and regulation of the fluid metabolism.

In some cases there has been proved an allergic or vasomotor basis to the condition.

Cases resistant to medical treatment may be relieved by destruction of the labyrinth by alcohol injection, or by section of the eighth nerve, or its vestibular branch.

There remain a very few patients who are not benefited by the most drastic surgical treatment because of some unknown central degenerative changes.