ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Otorinolaringologia 1999 June;49(2):69-73

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Fluid overloads as a possible cause of Ménière’s disease. Clinical review on 27 cases

Albera R., Cavalot A. L., Ferreo V., Lacilla M., Schenone G., Giordano L., Magnano M.*

Università degli Studi - Torino Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Clinica II Clinica ORL * Ospedale Mauriziano Umberto I - Torino UOA ORL

Background. Since a study on a significant number of patients with Ménière’s disease is not available, personal experience is reported.
Methods. Twenty-seven cases of Ménière’s disease associated with fluid overload in the diet are reported. In 5 cases fluid overload was acute, i.e. more than 1 liter in few minutes, and in 22 cases chronic, i.e. normal introduction of more than 2 liter each day for more than 1 month. This group of patients represents the 10% of all cases of Ménière’s disease observed in the same period. Vestibular tests showed a unilateral peripheral deficit in 14 cases while each patient was affected by a low frequency neurosensorial hearing loss; in 2 cases hearing loss was bilateral. Therapy consisted in the reduction of fluid overload only.
Results. Vertigo improved in 82% of cases who reported chronic fluid overload and in 100% of cases who reported acute fluid overload; hearing loss improved respectively in 64% and 80% of cases.
Conclusions. Since ADH controls endolymph production, it is possible that fluid overload, reducing ADH concentration, could determine endolymphatic hydrops.