title: Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin and the treatment of Meniere's disease: preliminary results.
abstract: The most disabling symptom for most patients with unilateral Meniere's disease is vertigo. Eradication of the diseased end organ is effective in eliminating the vertigo. Labyrinthectomy remains the "gold standard"; unfortunately, residual hearing is sacrificed to obtain this end. The purpose of this study is to evaluate low-dose intratympanic gentamicin for the control of vertigo and for the preservation of hearing. A single dose of gentamicin (10-80 mg) was injected into the middle ear space of 23 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease as an office procedure. Eighty-four percent of the patients had no episodes of vertigo during the last 6 months of follow-up. Pure tone average and word discrimination scores were unchanged as a group. Ninety-five percent of patients had a hearing loss at 6 and 8 kHz that averaged 7.5 dB. Caloric function was reduced in 93%. Low-dose intratympanic gentamicin is a safe, simple, office procedure that is effective in controlling the definitive vertiginous episodes in most patients with unilateral Meniere's disease. Control of vertigo can be obtained with preservation of hearing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kasperbauer
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Facer
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Harner
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014432:Tympanic Membrane; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins