Allergic management of Meniere disease.

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients with Meniere disease were selected on the basis of a positive allergic history. Factors other than allergy that might produce the signs and symptoms of endolymphatic hydrops were first diagnosed and controlled with appropriate management. Allergic diagnosis and management consisted of testing and treating inhalant allergies according to the methods of Rinkel. Foods were first tested using the Bryant's modification of Black's cytotoxic food test. All positive foods were eliminated except for those considered extremely difficult to avoid. These were managed using the provocative skin food test and neutralization method of Lee et al. All patients in this study were under allergic management for a period of 14 to 29 months. During this time, labyrinthine symptoms were improved in nine cases and in 19, there was no change.