Angioneurosis in Meniere's Disease

Abstract

The main aim of this paper was to analyse whether labyrinthic angioneurosis, Meniere's disease, can be provoked by immunity reaction at labyrinth level. The Meniere's disease immunologic thesis dates back to the 1920′s when Duke supposed an allergic origin for Meniere's disease. Actually, this allergy could show local autonomic nervous system disturbances. This would be cholinergic and as a consequence, it would involve vascular elements of the inner ear. In any case, one should not forget that it has been found out that some patients suffering from Meniere's disease have showed hypersensitivity to inhalants and food. A new theory has recently drawn scientists attention. It states that atopic hypersensitivity cannot be mediated just from an immunologic point of view. Therefore, labyrinthic angioneurosis is not to be considered as immunomediated allergy but as a sort of altered reactivity of autonomic activities, to chemical mediators. These mediators can be released thanks to various stimulations: mental, physiFal, chemical and infective. We think that in some cases labyrinthic angioneurosis is not to be ascribed to labyrinth immune reaction which is immunomediated but this disease must be analysed from a chemical neuromediation point of view.

Key Words:

• angioneurosis
• Meniere's disease
• inner ear
• immunology