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. 2017 Jul;21(2):72-76.
doi: 10.7874/jao.2017.21.2.72. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Is Electrocochleography Still Helpful in Early Diagnosis of Meniere Disease?

Fulvio Mammarella  1 , Melissa Zelli  1 , Theodoros Varakliotis  1   2 , Alberto Eibenstein  2 , Claudio Maria Pianura  1 , Gianluca Bellocchi  1
Affiliations

Is Electrocochleography Still Helpful in Early Diagnosis of Meniere Disease?

Fulvio Mammarella et al. J Audiol Otol. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Despite the extensive research for the Meniere's disease (MD), it's pathophysiology still remains uncertain and questionable among scientists. Clinical symptoms and audiometric tests form the basis for the diagnosis. Nevertheless the differential diagnosis can be extremely challenging, due to subjective and not specific results. Incorrect diagnosis is most likely and for this reason there is a great demand for objective and reliable tests.

Subjects and methods: The presence of endolymphatic hydrops is necessary condition but non enough for the diagnosis. In this study we analyze retrospectively the summating potentials (SP)/action protentials (AP) ratio from peritympanic electrocochleography in 34 patients,divided in two groups (13 patients classified as defined MD and 21 patients classified as probable MD). The purpose was to identify the utility of the exam so to be able to achieve an early defined diagnosis. Furthermore our intention was to obtain an objective test, besides the clinical criteria currently in use for the diagnosis and the classification of the MD.

Results: The analysis of the SP/AP results shows high predictability for the MD (positive in six out of seven cases with a sensitivity greater than 80%).

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a satisfactory sensibility percentage in recurrent defined MD presentation (>80%). Early identification of MD can lead to an early treatment and control of the progression of the disease. Furthermore it could be a valuable instrument for the follow up and evaluation of the patients classified as probable MD in accordance with the criteria of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (1995).

Keywords: Electrocochleography; Endolymphatic hydrops; Meniere’s disease.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Example of SP/AP tracings for the two groups. A: Shows an increased level of SP/AP (>0.37) amplitude ratio in defined MD patients. B: Shows a normal amplitude ratio in control group, classified as probable MD patients. Note the clear difference between the SP/AP tracings in the upper trace (red arrows). SP: summating potentials, AP: action potentials, MD: Meniere’s disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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