Iniezione intratimpanica di gentamicina nel trattamento della malattia di Meniere: la nostra esperienza.

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the results of patients affected by intractable unilateral Meniere’s Disease (MD) treated with chemical labyrinthectomy through intratympanic gentamicin injections. In particular we assessed the results of subjective control of vertigo attacks and hearing function. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of the charts of 46 patients with definite MD in accordance with the AAO-HNS American (Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery) Diagnostic Scale. These patients were treated at the Otorhinolaryngology and Otomicrosurgery Department of the University of Parma between 1999 and 2010 with chemical labyrinthectomy through intratympanic gentamicin injections. Results: Results were resumed in accordance with AAO-HNS criteria and showed complete control of vertigo spells in 34 patients (73,9%; class A), good control in 8 patients (17,4%; class B), instead in 3 patients (6,5%; class D) and in 1 patient (2,2%; class E) we obtained respectively poor control and no control of vertigo. As for audiological assessment, it was unchanged in 30 cases (65,2%), improved in 4 cases (8,7%) and worsened in 11 cases (23,9%). In our experience we had only 1 case of deafness (2,2%). Conclusion: In the light of the results obtained, we can conclude that after intratympanic gentamicin injections, patients have a good control of vertigo in 91% of cases and a low risk of worsening of hearing function (23% in our series), indicating that the administration of gentamicin is a good alternative to surgical procedures in patient with MD that do not respond to conventional medical therapy.