Diagnostic Criteria for Meniere’s Disease

Meniere´s disease is defined as recurrent, spontaneous episodic vertigo, hearing loss, aural fullness and tinnitus. Recurrent endolymphatic hypertension (hydrops) is believed to cause the episodes.

According to the guidelines from AAO-HNS Committee of Hearing and Equilibrium the three major symptoms are described as follows:

Vertigo

• Recurrent, well-defined episodes of spinning or rotation

• Duration ranging from 20 min to 24 h

• Nystagmus associated with attacks

• Nausea and vomiting during vertigo spells common

• No neurologic symptoms with vertigo

Deafness

• Hearing deficits fluctuate

• Sensorineural hearing loss

• Hearing loss progressive, usually unilateral

Tinnitus

• Variable, often low pitched and louder during attacks

• Usually unilateral on the affected side

• Subjective

Diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease

Possible Meniere’s disease

• Episodic vertigo of the Meniere’s type without documented hearing loss, or
• Sensorineural hearing loss, fluctuating or fixed, with dysequilibrium but without definitive episodes
• Other causes excluded

Probable Meniere’s disease

• One definitive episode of vertigo
• Audiometrically documented hearing loss on at least one occasion
• Tinnitus or aural fullness in the treated ear
• Other causes excluded

Definite Meniere’s disease

• Two or more definitive spontaneous episodes of vertigo 20 minutes or longer
• Audiometrically documented hearing loss on at least one occasion
• Tinnitus or aural fullness in the treated ear
• Other cases excluded

Certain Meniere’s disease

• Definite Meniere’s disease, plus histopathologic confirmation

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