Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Meniere�s disease is a debilitating condition characterized by vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus/aural fullness. It currently affects about 615,000 Americans and about 45,500 new cases are diagnosed each year. Traditional management of the disease consists of a low- salt diet, the use of diuretics, to a variety of surgeries. The use of intratympanic gentamicin has gained popularity over the years as a major modality of treatment for Meniere�s disease. We review our experience short and long term with intratympanic gentamicin for Meniere�s disease. Although intratympanic gentamicin comes with the risk of hearing loss, it�s favored for it�s significant control of vertigo attacks and because it is a relatively non-invasive procedure. Complete to substantial control (class A & B) was achieved in 82.50% of our patients, with an overall decrease of hearing of 1.70 dB and an overall drop in word recognition score of only 0.58% (56.29 dB/61.41% baseline to 57.99 dB/60.83% at follow-up). This talk will focus on our experience and results with intratympanic gentamicin for the treatment of Meniere�s disease. We will also focus on hearing loss in some cases.

Biography

Richard J. Wiet, M.D., F.A.C.S., is Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery at Northwestern University and Senior Partner, Ear Institute of Chicago, LLC. Wiet has been consistently listed in Chicago?s Magazine?s ?Top Doctors? for years. In 2011, Dr. Wiet was presented with the Professional Excellence Award from the Acoustic Neuroma Association. Dr. Wiet?s 30 years in the field of neurotology is reflected in a textbook he edited, released in February, 2006, entitled ?Ear Surgery-Minimizing Risks and Complications,? published by Thieme International.