Perilymphatic Pressure Measurement in Meniere's Disease

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perilymphatic pressure, by means of the MMS-10 Tympanic Displacement Analyzer (TDA), in patients with Meniere's disease (MD). Measurements were performed in 37 patients with MD and in 14 normal-hearing subjects. Data were collected from 3 groups: healthy ears of normal-hearing subjects, unaffected ears of patients with MD, and affected ears of patients with MD. Analysis of the results obtained with the TDA showed no significant differences between the 3 groups. Several hypotheses could explain this lack of difference: 1) perhaps indirect measurement of perilymphatic pressure with the TDA is not relevant; 2) perhaps hyperpressure of the inner ear is not the physiological basis for the clinical triad of MD; or 3) perhaps endolymphatic hydrops does not produce changes in perilymphatic pressure. The results of this series indicate that the TDA is not useful in the evaluation of patients with MD.