Background and Objectives: There is no single test that is definitive for making the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. However, electrocochleography (ECoG) has been advocated as a reliable objective test for Meniere's disease. This study was
undertaken to assess the clinical characteristics among patients of Meniere's diseases, who are divided into different groups, and the value of ECoG in establishing the diagnosis and classification of Meniere's disease.
Materials and Method: From Jan 1990 to Dec 1999, 126 patients clinically suspected of unilateral Meniere's disease and who had undergone ECoG were selected. Patients were classified into definite, probable and possible Meniere's groups.
The
lowest audiological thresholds from the previous 6 months, the SP:AP ratio and the results of a caloric test were evaluated, retrospectively.
Results: The definite Meniere's group demonstrated an elevated SP:AP ratio among 74.4% of the cases, the probable Meniere's group among 48.6%, and the possible group among 37.0%. However, symptoms such as tinnitus or earfullness showed no
correlation between the groups. According to the audiologic evaluation, the possible group was mostly in the stage Ⅰ, whereas the definite group and probable group were mostly in the stage Ⅲ. The audiogram pattern and the caloric test showed no
difference among the groups.
Conclusion: ECoG showed no correlation with the stages of Meniere's disease. However, ECoG can be helpful in differential diagnosis of definite Meniere's group from probable or possible group.
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