Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2002 Sep;45(9):853-857.

Clinical Characteristics and Diagnostic Value of Electrocochleography according to Group of Unilateral Meniere's Disease

• Kim YJ
• Shin JE
• Yoon TH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no single test that is definitive for making the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. However, electrocochleography (ECoG) has been advocated as a reliable objective test for Meniere's disease. This study was undertaken to assess the clinical characteristics among patients of Meniere's diseases, who are divided into different groups, and the value of ECoG in establishing the diagnosis and classification of Meniere's disease. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From Jan 1990 to Dec 1999, 126 patients clinically suspected of unilateral Meniere's disease and who had undergone ECoG were selected. Patients were classified into definite, probable and possible Meniere's groups. The lowest audiological thresholds from the previous 6 months, the SP:AP ratio and the results of a caloric test were evaluated, retrospectively.
RESULTS
The definite Meniere's group demonstrated an elevated SP:AP ratio among 74.4% of the cases, the probable Meniere's group among 48.6%, and the possible group among 37.0%. However, symptoms such as tinnitus or earfullness showed no correlation between the groups. According to the audiologic evaluation, the possible group was mostly in the stage I, whereas the definite group and probable group were mostly in the stage III. The audiogram pattern and the caloric test showed no difference among the groups.
CONCLUSION
ECoG showed no correlation with the stages of Meniere's disease. However, ECoG can be helpful in differential diagnosis of definite Meniere's group from probable or possible group.

Keyword

Meniere's disease; Audiometry

MeSH Terms

Audiometry
Audiometry, Evoked Response*
Caloric Tests
Classification
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Meniere Disease*
Retrospective Studies
Tinnitus