Endolymphatic hydrops in asymptomatic ears in unilateral Meniere's disease

Objectiues/Hypothesis: The aim of our study was the objective assessment of endolymphatic hydrops in asymptomatic ears in unilateral Meniere's disease with a noninvasive electrophysiological test and investigation of signific ant clinical signs. The null hypothesis was that there would be no signs of endolymphatic hydrops in the asymptomatic ear. Study Design: Prospective s tudy using the traveling wave velocity test for endolymphatic hydrops, Meth ods: The traveling wave velocity test was used in conjunction with standard audiological tests to investigate both ears of 181 Meniere's patients atte nding the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research in Southam pton, United Kingdom. The test uses derived auditory brainstem responses to estimate the velocity of the cochlear traveling wave that is altered in en dolymphatic hydrops, Meniere's disease was assessed using Arenberg's five s taging criteria. Significant correlations were evaluated using standard sta tistical methods, Results: Of 100 patients with clinically unilateral Menie re's disease, 27% showed evidence of endolymphatic hydrops in their asympto matic ear. There was a significant correlation between signs of hydrops and the mean air-conduction threshold at 500 Hz, Conclusions: We recommend tha t a full assessment of incipient disease in the asymptomatic ear in unilate ral Meniere's disease should be undertaken before offering any treatment op tions to patients. Any suspicion of early disease in the asymptomatic ear i n unilateral Meniere's disease should lead to full electrophysiological ass essment to assess the evidence of endolymphatic hydrops in that ear.