A comparison of electrocochleography and high-pass noise masking of auditory brainstem response for diagnosis of Ménière's disease

Abstract

Objective: To study differences between electrocochleography (ECochG) and cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) in diagnosis of Ménière's disease. Design: Retrospective case review from a tertiary referral center. Study sample: Thirty patients suspected to have Ménière's disease were assessed by ECochG and CHAMP tests. Results: Positivity of ECochG with SP/AP amplitude ratio >.40 or >.35 was compared with CHAMP V-delay or CHAMP R × D. Positive ECochG results were found in 43% (>.40 SP/AP ratio) and 63% (>.35 SP/AP ratio) of patients, comparing to positive CHAMP V delay in 27% and CHAMP R × D in 30% of patients. A significant difference (p <.01) was found between ECochG and CHAMP in diagnostic sensitivity. Also, a positive inter-aural correlation was found in CHAMP results (p <.003), but not in ECochG (p =.082) results. Conclusions: ECochG is a more sensitive test than CHAMP in detecting the presence of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's patients. CHAMP covaried interaurally in unilateral Ménière's patients whereas ECochG did not.

Key Words::

• Cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP)
• electrocochleography (ECochG)
• Ménière's disease (MD)
• endolymphatic hydrops (EH)
• American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Ken Henry of the Professional Hearing Services - The Dizziness and Balance Center for valuable support. We also thank Bloomsburg University Writing Center for proofreading the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.