[Chemical labyrinthectomy: results and applications].
OBJECTIVE
Unilateral Menière's disease can be treated by chemical labyrinthectomy. The goal of this work was to report our clinical experience with chemical labyrinthectomy, and to discuss the respective value of labyrinthectomy and of vestibular neurotomy for treating unilateral Menière's disease.


METHODS
Twelve patients underwent chemical labyrinthectomy using middle ear gentamicin infusion. Before treatment, patients had a pure tone audiogram and a vestibular caloric testing. After treatment, patients had a clinical assessment at 1 and 6 months after treatment (pure-tone audiogram, vestibular caloric testing), and answered a questionnaire at 1 and 2 years following the treatment (number of vertigo attacks, ataxia, tinnitus, subjective assessment of the method by the patient).


RESULTS
At two years post-treatment, the vertigo cure rate was 91.6% (ABC using AAOO criteria), vestibular function was abolished in 70% of cases, ataxia was reported in 42% of patients, 16.6% of patients had hearing deterioration above 20 dB HL (C following AAOO criteria), tinnitus was decreased in 50% of cases. Of 12 patients, 8 were satisfied.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemical labyrinthectomy cures vertigo in Menière's disease, with similar cure rate than vestibular neurotomy. Minor complications can occur with chemical labyrinthectomy. This method should be used in more patients.
Mondain
M
M
Service ORL, CHU de Montpellier, France.
Mouchet
F
F
Marlier
F
F
Makeieff
M
M
Biboulet
R
R
Uziel
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins
Labyrinthectomie chimique. Résultats et intérêt.