Abstract
The glycerol test for endolymphatic hydrops was administered to 51 patients exhibiting symptoms of Meniere's disease. A complete battery of audiometric tests including the SISI, Bekesy, ABLB, speech discrimination and air conduction thresholds was administered pre- and post-glycerol ingestion in order to determine the effect of osmotic diuresis. At the same time, the relation between the ratio of “positive” glycerol test and the duration of the disease, onset age, vestibular response and cochlear symptoms was investigated.
The following results were obtained:
1) Among the special audiometric tests, only speech discrimination scores exhibited changes, but there were no significant differences observed in ABLB, SISI or Bekesy.
2) The ratio of “positive” glycerol test was high in the following cases of Meniere's disease:
a) Vertiginous attack occurring at old ages
b) Hearing loss of a high degree
c) Those who had nystagmus
d) Those who had fluctuating hearing loss
3) The duration of the disease, the frequency of vertiginous attack and CP had no influence on the ratio of “positive” glycerol test.
