Neurotogical Evaluation of Endolymphatic Mastoid Shunt Operation for Meniere's Disease

Abstract

During 1980-1985, endolymphatic mastoid shunt operations were performed in 18 cases out of 120 with definite Meniere's disease. From these follow-up studies of 18 cases, 11 were available for analysis of the 1985 AAOHNS evaluation criteria. According to this criteria, the results after the operations evaluated are as follows.1) Vertigo: 5 cases (45.5%) had a complete control of definitive spells, and 5 cases had substantial or limited control of definitive spells for over 12 months after the surgery.2) Hearingloss: The parameter for the assessment of hearing level is the three frequency pure-tone average at 500 Hz, 1 KHz and 2 KHz. Hearing improvement was observed in 2 cases (18.1%), and unchanged hearingloss was obtained in 4 cases.In 5 cases, hearing was worse after the operation.3) Among many of the clinical findings in equilibrium examinations, the length of the body sway was the most appropriate parameter for evaluation of vestibular disability after our surgical procedures.This parameter corresponded with subjective symtoms, especially with vestibular disability.From these neurotological evaluation of the surgical procedures, we have concluded that the endolymphatic mastoid shunt operation was the most appropriate surgical treatment for disabling Meniere's disease from the neurotological point of view.