title: Meniere's disease in the elderly.
abstract: Menière disease usually begins in adults from 20 to 60 years old, and occurs in more than 10% of patients older than 65. The treatment of Menière disease in the elderly represents a challenge because of polymedication. Antivertiginous drugs such as betahistine and cinnarizin give good results with minor secondary effects. In contrast, major vestibular suppressor drugs such as thiethylperazin must be avoided as long-term treatment because of their side effects. Definitive vestibular surgical deafferentations such as labyrinthectomy and selective vestibular neurectomy represent optional procedures but must be carefully evaluated from case to case. Ablative procedures remain the efficient treatment of drop attacks, which represent a high potential risk of severe injuries by older patients sometimes with important social consequences.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, University of Berne, 3010 Berne, Switzerland. dominique.vibert@insel.ch
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Vibert
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Caversaccio
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Häusler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003051:Cochlea / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000503:physiopathology; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium