[Intratympanic gentamicin in Menière's disease].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and toxicity of intratympanic gentamicin injection therapy for intractable vertigo of Menière's disease.

METHOD

Thirteen patients diagnosed of unilateral Menière's disease were given gentamicin 0.5 ml (26.7 mg/ml) intratympanically once a week for two weeks. All the patients were followed-up for at least two years. The result was monitored using the criteria set by Chinese Otorhinolaryngological Academy and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Otorhinlolaryngology in 1996.

RESULT

Complete or substantial vertigo control was achieved in 12 patients (92.3%). Two weeks after treatment, the pure tone (0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz, 3.0 kHz) average hearing threshold had no significant change. 8.0 kHz hearing threshold increased significantly in 3 patients(23.1%). 18-24 months after treatment, the hearing threshold increased significantly in 9 patients respectively. No patient felt improved in tinnitus.

CONCLUSION

Intratympanic gentamicin injection is a simple and cost-effective means for controlling intractable vertigo spelling of Menière's disease, but it also has some toxic effect to hearing.