Herniation of the membranous labyrinth into the horizontal semicircular canal is correlated with impaired caloric response in Ménière's disease.
BACKGROUND
Canal paresis of the horizontal semicircular canal in Ménière's disease is a frequent finding. Endolymphatic hydrops is the single most characteristic morphologic finding in Ménière's disease. However, the relationship between endolymphatic hydrops and canal paresis is still not elucidated.


METHODS
We used magnetic resonance imaging to visualize herniation of parts of the vestibular membranous labyrinth into the horizontal semicircular canal and correlated this morphologic feature with the caloric function of the horizontal semicircular canal.


RESULTS
Patients who showed herniation into the horizontal canal had a significantly impaired caloric function when compared with patients without this morphologic feature.


CONCLUSIONS
Herniation into the semicircular canal may be the morphologic correlate for impaired caloric response in patients with Ménière's disease.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Integrated Centre for Balance Disorders, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. rguerkov@med.uni-muenchen.de
Robert
R
Gürkov
Wilhelm
W
Flatz
Julia
J
Louza
Michael
M
Strupp
Birgit
B
Ertl-Wagner
Eike
E
Krause
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002150:Caloric Tests; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000473:pathology*; D018159:Endolymphatic Hydrops / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006547:Hernia / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000473:pathology*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult