Three cases of cochleosaccular endolymphatic hydrops without vertigo revealed by furosemide-loading vestibular evoked myogenic potential test.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe possible cases of cochleosaccular endolymphatic hydrops without vertigo.

STUDY DESIGN:

Retrospective case report.

SETTING:

University hospital.

PATIENTS:

Three patients with possible cochleosaccular hydrops without vertigo were studied. The basis of diagnosis was positive result of the furosemide-loading vestibular evoked myogenic potential test, no canal paresis in the caloric test, and recurrent cochlear symptoms or fluctuating low-tone hearing loss.

CASE REPORT:

In case 1, a 47-year-old woman had recurrent left aural fullness and tinnitus and a few weeks later complained of a floating sensation and could not stand up. The furosemide-loading vestibular evoked myogenic potential test showed a positive result in the left ear. In case 2, a 24-year-old woman complained of a backward falling sensation lasting several seconds; subsequently, a severe floating sensation persisted and she could not stand up for several days. Audiography showed fluctuating low-tone hearing loss in the left ear, and the furosemide-loading vestibular evoked myogenic potential test showed a positive result. In case 3, a 41-year-old woman had a floating sensation while walking and subsequently complained of tinnitus in the left ear. She could not stand up because of a severe floating sensation and, moreover, complained of a sudden falling sensation lasting for several seconds. The furosemide-loading vestibular evoked myogenic potential test indicated a positive result in the left ear.

CONCLUSIONS:

The patients in cases 2 and 3 complained of a short-lasting sensation of falling down. Severe disequilibrium that prohibited standing up was noted in all cases. It was suggested that these symptoms were caused by saccular hydrops.

• Authors: Toru Seo, Michiko Node, Atsushi Miyamoto, Akiko Yukimasa, Tomonori Terada, Masafumi Sakagami
• Journal: Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (Otol Neurotol) Vol. 24 Issue 5 Pg. 807-11 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 1531-7129 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14501460 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Furosemide

Topics

• Adult
• Cochlea (physiopathology)
• Endolymphatic Hydrops (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Evoked Potentials (drug effects, physiology)
• Female
• Furosemide
• Humans
• Meniere Disease (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Middle Aged
• Reaction Time (drug effects, physiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Saccule and Utricle (physiopathology)
• Vestibular Function Tests
• Vestibular Nerve (drug effects, physiopathology)