Comparison of the electrocochleography and Vestibuler Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Meniere?s disease patients

Meniere?s disease is an idiopathic disorder of the inner ear that is characterized by episodic vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus and is often associated with a sensation of aural fullness or pressure. Meniere?s disease can seriously effect the quality of life of the effected people. Altough there is great improvment in diagnosis and treatment of the disease, Meniere?s disease has a great challenge for ENT speciallist.ECochG is used for diagnosis of endolymphatic hydrops as in many center it is considered to be the only objective method. The most effective method for the assement of ECochG is SP/AP amplitud ratio. VEMP test is a relatively new test that?s been used after 1980?s. It mainly asseses the saccul and the inferior vestibuler nerve. For Meniere?s disease, assesment of saccul which is effected in the early phase of the disease, is an hopefull method in diagnosis. The aim of our study is to compare these two methods.The study included 37 effected and 21 uneffected ears considering the criterias recommended by the Committe on Hearing and equilibrium of the American Academy of Otolryngology-Head and Neck Surgery(1995). As for results in this study, the sensitivity of ECochG is %72,97 and VEMP is %67,57. The use of each test together enhenced the sensitivity up to %91,89. Unlike, tests are not related with Menier?s disease duration or stage. Also, we found that there is no correlation between these testes. The main reason of this, is the different anatomic localisation of the testing areas for each test, so tests could be affected in a different way.