Meniere's Disease at the University of Iowa: 1973 to 1980

Abstract

The goals of treatment in Meniere's disease are hearing preservation and control of vertigo. Controversy abounds with regard to the most expeditious and efficacious means of attaining these goals. Low-salt diet, diuretic therapy, endolymphatic-mastoid shunt, and middle cranial fossa vestibular neurectomy are all modes of treatment employed for Meniere's disease at the University of Iowa. This review of our experience from 1973 to 1980 summarizes the efficacy of each therapeutic option.

Clinical Indicators Useful in Predicting Response to the Medical Management of Meniere's Disease

“…Over time, the preservation of hearing became increasingly important as an outcome of long‐term therapy. 11–13 Vestibular and cochlear manifestations of the disease have been further recognized as important endpoints of therapy.…”

“…This makes intuitive sense, as there are other regimens that are either less stringent or more stringent than 1500 mg/d of sodium intake and also show symptom improvement. 10,12,13 However, this may be a selection bias for patients with definite Meniere's disease that responded to medical therapy for other undefined reasons, as compared with those who required surgical intervention. Inaccuracies related to the self‐reporting of the individual's diet compliance may have interfered with our results.…”