Assessment Tools for Use in Patients with Ménière Disease: An Update

Abstract

A number of electrophysiological tests have been proposed for the initial diagnostic assessment or for the follow-up phase of patients affected by Ménière disease. The most common are: (i) vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs); (ii) electrocochleography (ECochG); and (iii) otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). This paper presents the latest clinical developments with these 3 testing modalities.The PubMed, Embase, and Cinahl databases were searched from 2006 to December 2016. Full-text articles were obtained in cases where the title, abstract, or key words suggested that the study may be eligible for this review. The medical subject heading (MeSH) terms included the following: Ménière, hearing threshold, vestibule, otoacoustic emissions, inner ear, ECochG, VEMPs. There were 368 identified papers, out of which 87 were eligible for inclusion.Overall the data in the literature are still limited and the recommended procedures have not reached an international consensus. From the available data, one can conclude that none of the electrophysiological tests could be considered as pathognomonic, for the diagnosis of Ménière disease: presently, the tests could be mostly used in a supportive role to the clinical diagnosis. Hopefully, in the future, improved technology in electrophysiological testing could contribute to the development of better strategies for the diagnosis of Ménière disease.

Current Understanding and Clinical Management of Meniere's Disease: A Systematic Review

“…57 However, there is a series of complementary diagnostic tests that are recommended to confirm or reject the presence of other comorbidities. 2,58,59 Physical Examination A clinical evaluation is indicated when MD is suspected, 60 that should include:…”

“…70,75 Blood Tests Nonspecific tests can be used to evaluate vascular risk factors, thyroid dysfunction, or autoimmunity. 58 The tests include:…”

Ménière's disease: new guidelines, subtypes, imaging, and more

“…The role of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in Me ´nie `re's disease is not well established. After the cochlea, the saccule is one of the inner ear structures most affected by endolymphatic hydrops [35]. As a result, cervical VEMPs, which assess saccule function, may be useful to demonstrate dysfunction of the saccule.…”

Application of artificial intelligence in the otoneurology diagnostic process – an overview

“…Wodniak błędnika charakteryzuje się specyficznymi objawami, takimi jak: zawroty głowy, uczucie pełności i szum w uchu oraz znaczne pogorszenie słyszenia, które pojawiają się nagle i znacznie obniżają jakość życia. Metody instrumentalne tylko częściowo oceniają funkcje narządu przedsionkowego i w początkowej fazie choroby są niespecyficzne, ponieważ upośledzenie czynnościowe układu przedsionkowego jest niskie [15].…”