Vestibular drop attack secondary to Meniere's disease results from unstable otolithic function

Abstract

Conclusion. The otolithic organs of patients with vestibular drop attack (VDA) secondary to Meniere's disease were damaged but the damage was not complete. In other words, the otolithic functions of patients with VDA were unstable. Objective. To evaluate otolithic function using vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in patients with VDA secondary to Meniere's disease. Patients and methods. Clinical records of three patients with VDA secondary to Meniere's disease were reviewed with special reference to VEMP testing. Results. The three patients were classified as stage II or III Meniere's disease. A long-term follow-up of VEMP in two patients showed reversible changes of VEMP reflexes, and VEMP testing with glycerol administration in two patients revealed the recovery of VEMP responses after taking glycerol, and the existence of saccular endolymphatic hydrops.

• drop attack
• fall
• endolymphatic hydrops
• glycerol
• VEMP
• otolith
• saccule
• vestibulospinal