Surgical Treatment of Meniere’s Disease

Abstract

Meniere’s disease was first described by Prosper Meniere in 1861 [1]. The classic disease description includes the tetrad of hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, and vertigo spells. The disease tends to fluctuate and can be said to be predictably unpredictable. The spells can last from minutes to hours. Attacks can be associated with nausea, vomiting, headache, and fatigue. Medical management is sufficient for a majority of patients, but those who are recalcitrant may be a candidate for surgical intervention. Currently, a variety of surgical techniques are employed for patients with Meniere’s disease who have failed medical treatment.