Meniere's disease: overview, epidemiology, and natural history

Meniere's disease is a disease of the inner ear characterized by a triad of symptoms: vestibular symptoms, auditory symptoms, and pressure. The pathological correlate of Meniere's disease is endolymphatic hydrops and the etiopathogenesis seems to involve a deficienc in the absorption of endolymph. The diagnosis of Meniere's disease is based mainly on a careful history. Medical treatment is largely empirical. Surgery can be considered if, when conservative treatment fails, the disease progresses and the symptoms become intractable.