An update on the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease

Koizuka Izumi

doi:10.11289/otoljpn.20.45

Ménière's disease is a disorder characterized by hearing loss, tinnitus and disabling vertigo. A common pathogenetic factor is the disturbance of endolymphatic and perilymphatic osmotic and hydrostatic pressure due to defined etiologies or idiopathic attacks. The current diagnostic criteria base the diagnosis of Ménière disease on the clinical presentation alone. However, most otolaryngologists request a widened instrumental evaluation of patients suspected of Ménière disease. Recently, new and more sophisticated diagnostic tests have been developed both in audiovestibulology i.e. dehydration test and in imaging, i.e. high resolution MRI.<BR>The homeostasis of water in the inner ear is essential for maintaining the function of hearing and equilibrium. It is well known that water homeostasis of the inner ear is regulated in part via the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-AQP2 system in the same fashion as in the kidney, and endolymphatic hydrops is thought to be caused by mal-regulation of this system. Therefore, AVP appear to be important for the development of novel therapies for Ménière's disease and related disorders. AVP is also well known as a stress hormone influencing the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) via V2 receptor. Recent studies suggested that stress management might be effective for preventing both the development and progression of Ménière's disease.<BR>In this article, the current status of diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease are documented and discussed.

An update on the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease

Bibliographic Information

Search this article

Description

Journal

Citations (1)*help

References(25)*help

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Export

Report a problem