[Long-term results of transtympanic gentamicin treatment in Meniere's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term hearing and vestibular outcomes in patients with intractable vertigo caused by unilateral Meniere's disease, who were treated with transtympanic injection of gentamicin.

STUDY DESIGN: the study was a long-term analysis of hearing and control of vertigo in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease who received transtympanic gentamicin.

METHODS: Pure-tone thresholds and ENG, along with the control of vertigo. Criteria described in 1995 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery were used. Patients treated with transtympanic gentamicin had definite Meniere's disease and had intractable vertigo despite optimal medical therapy, no symptoms suggestive of Meniere's disease in the contralateral ear, and serviceable hearing in the contralateral ear. The study analyzed the outcomes of 9 patients for whom follow-up data were available for periods greater than 24 months after transtympanic gentamicin.

RESULTS: Complete control of vertigo was obtained in all 9 patients. Profound sensorineural hearing loss occurred only in 1 patient. Hearing was improved in 6 patients, and in 2 was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS: Transtympanic gentamicin therapy is a good method of controlling vertigo and the risk of hearing loss is low.