Morphological and functional structure of the inner ear: Its relation to Ménière's disease

Abstract

Ménière's disease is a disabling disorder presenting with crises of aural fullness, tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo. The hallmark of the pathology is a labyrinthine hydrops, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. This unknown aetiology explains the lack of a good pharmacological treatment. Here, we wish to evaluate the different parameters that can be involved in the progression of the disease, focusing on vascular disorders, production of reactive oxygen species and the relationship between the endolymph and haematic perfusion. We know that the blood supply must be adequate to guarantee the establishment of the endocochlear potential and the production of endolymph, so aberrant microcirculation may be an aetiological factor for Méniè re's disease. © 2012 Informa Healthcare

Ménière's Disease Treatment: A Patient-Centered Systematic Review

“…Abnormal cochlear microcirculation has recently been identified as an important etiologic factor in Mé-nière's disease [Olivetto et al, 2012], and it is already well documented as a causal factor in noise-induced hearing loss, age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), sudden hearing loss, or vestibular function [Shi, 2011]. To our knowledge, Godlowski was the first to point out the importance of microcirculation in the etiopathogenesis of Ménière's syndrome already in 1965.…”

A finite element model to predict the consequences of endolymphatic hydrops in the basilar membrane

“…Genetic findings in Ménière's disease are still in an early stage, without a main validated gene, as mentioned by Gallego and Lopez. 11 According to Olivetto et al, 12 Ménière's disease often affects only one ear, but the cases of bilateral disease are not rare. There are no differences with respect to gender, as mentioned by Vassiliou et al 13 In Finland, the prevalence of the disease is at least 43 per 100,000 population.…”