Transtympanic gentamicin in the treatment of Meniére's disease.

Aminoglycosides enable a pharmacological approach, before resorting to surgery, to the treatment of Menière's disease (MD) proving unamenable to routine medical treatment. The staging of MD is an essential preliminary step in the implementation of a specific and personalized treatment with transtympanic gentamicin. The ideal condition is the presence of endolymphatic hydrops with little or no damage to the cochlear and vestibular hair cells. The technical aspects of the method are discussed. In 21 patients with unilateral Menière's disease in various stages, this treatment achieved the regression of vertigo in 86% of cases; hearing was better in 19% of cases, preserved in 62% and worse in 19%; tinnitus regressed totally or partially in 62% of cases; aural fullness also regressed totally or partially in 57% of cases.