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Otorinolaringologia 2005 June;55(2):107-14

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Allergy and Ménière’s disease

Derebery M. J.

House Clinic and House Ear Institute Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ménière’s disease is likely multifactorial in nature, requiring an underlying predisposition, such as a genetic factor, an anatomical variant such as a small endolymphatic sac or other abnormality, and then, secondarily, requiring a triggering event to develop classical symptoms. Considerable evidence now suggests that the endolymphatic sac could be either a direct or indirect target of an allergic reaction that can result in the production of Ménière’s disease symptoms. With the prevalence rate of allergy twice as high as in the normal population, patients with Ménière’s disease should be questioned and examined for a possible contributing allergic diasthesis. Studies have shown that antigen-specific immunotherapy and/or dietary avoidance of their reactive foods can be an effective therapy for patients with allergy and Ménière’s. Long-term follow-up of patients managed in this way shows an improved outcome in both quality of life and the control of vertigo.