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- When Is Neurosurgery Required To Manage Ménière’s Disease?
When Is Neurosurgery Required To Manage Ménière’s Disease?
A referral to a neurosurgical centre can either be about using highly advanced technology and techniques to remove the cause of the disease or to relieve symptoms and in the case of Ménière’s disease, it is often a case of the latter.
Once it is successfully diagnosed, Ménière’s disease can be managed in a number of different ways depending on the frequency of episodes, the severity of symptoms and how difficult they can be to manage.
As it is a relatively rare inner ear condition which varies considerably in terms of severity, Ménière’s disease can be treated in a number of different ways. To understand why, it is important to know what it is and what it is not.
It can have multiple symptoms but the most common ones are vertigo, where the surroundings feel like they are spinning, balance issues that often occur as a consequence, nausea, tinnitus, temporary or permanent hearing loss, as well as various types of ear pain, discomfort, pressure and fullness.
These symptoms can also vary in severity and frequency, with some people able to manage their symptoms with rehabilitation, therapy and medications.
It can affect both ears, but typically affects only one at first, although it can sometimes cause more gradual hearing loss and constant tinnitus between episodes, although this can vary between different cases.
Some cases of vertigo, hearing loss and inner ear issues can also be linked to labyrinthitis, a type of inner ear infection that can have a similarly long-term effect on balance and hearing, so a range of tests will be made to rule out any alternative causes to Ménière’s disease.
According to the National Institute of Health and Social Care Excellence, a diagnosis will consist of at least two vertigo episodes that last at least 20 minutes, hearing loss, hearing symptoms that fluctuate and no alternative explanation.
Because vertigo and dizziness can affect the operation of complex or heavy machinery, you will be required to let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know of your condition, and it is a crime to continue driving without informing them of your condition.
In many cases, this can help to reduce or manage symptoms, but in cases where symptoms are serious, persistent and cannot be controlled, you may be referred to a specialist for neurosurgery.
There are several surgical interventions available based on the cause of Ménière’s disease and the symptoms, and they can vary from relieving the pressure in the inner ear to more intensive procedures that can permanently affect the balance organ and hearing within the ear.
The most common type of surgery used is known as endolymphatic sac surgery. This is where a small piece of bone near the endolymphatic sac in the inner ear is removed in order to relieve the pressure on the ear.
This is known as decompression surgery, but in some cases the sac can be removed entirely or a shunt can be inserted instead.
As a fundamental principle of surgery is to preserve functionality as much as possible, this is the most common form of surgery if it is considered to be the most effective way to relieve symptoms.
Alternatively, a treatment which involves directly injecting steroids into the inner ear may sometimes be used, which causes an anti-inflammatory action in the infected area and causes the disease to relax its effects.
As with any other condition, surgery is typically used as a last resort when other attempts to manage the condition have not succeeded, and the effects of treatment will be balanced against the effects of the condition so you have a full understanding of what to expect.
Once it is successfully diagnosed, Ménière’s disease can be managed in a number of different ways depending on the frequency of episodes, the severity of symptoms and how difficult they can be to manage.
As it is a relatively rare inner ear condition which varies considerably in terms of severity, Ménière’s disease can be treated in a number of different ways. To understand why, it is important to know what it is and what it is not.
What Is Ménière’s Disease?
Ménière’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear, the part of the ear that primarily affects hearing and balance, usually manifesting in the form of episodes that can last a few minutes to up to a full day, but typically range between 20 minutes and two hours.It can have multiple symptoms but the most common ones are vertigo, where the surroundings feel like they are spinning, balance issues that often occur as a consequence, nausea, tinnitus, temporary or permanent hearing loss, as well as various types of ear pain, discomfort, pressure and fullness.
These symptoms can also vary in severity and frequency, with some people able to manage their symptoms with rehabilitation, therapy and medications.
It can affect both ears, but typically affects only one at first, although it can sometimes cause more gradual hearing loss and constant tinnitus between episodes, although this can vary between different cases.
Why Is It Difficult To Diagnose?
One of the larger challenges with Ménière’s disease is establishing a definitive diagnosis. Many of the symptoms associated with it can also be caused by an ear infection or a migraine, which will typically get better on its own.Some cases of vertigo, hearing loss and inner ear issues can also be linked to labyrinthitis, a type of inner ear infection that can have a similarly long-term effect on balance and hearing, so a range of tests will be made to rule out any alternative causes to Ménière’s disease.
According to the National Institute of Health and Social Care Excellence, a diagnosis will consist of at least two vertigo episodes that last at least 20 minutes, hearing loss, hearing symptoms that fluctuate and no alternative explanation.
Because vertigo and dizziness can affect the operation of complex or heavy machinery, you will be required to let the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know of your condition, and it is a crime to continue driving without informing them of your condition.
When Is Neurosurgery Necessary To Treat Ménière’s Disease?
In the vast majority of cases of Ménière’s disease, treatment involves managing and easing the symptoms. In around 80 per cent of cases, treatment involves no surgery and instead relies on a combination of medicines, medical devices and rehabilitation to help with balance, tinnitus and mental health.In many cases, this can help to reduce or manage symptoms, but in cases where symptoms are serious, persistent and cannot be controlled, you may be referred to a specialist for neurosurgery.
There are several surgical interventions available based on the cause of Ménière’s disease and the symptoms, and they can vary from relieving the pressure in the inner ear to more intensive procedures that can permanently affect the balance organ and hearing within the ear.
The most common type of surgery used is known as endolymphatic sac surgery. This is where a small piece of bone near the endolymphatic sac in the inner ear is removed in order to relieve the pressure on the ear.
This is known as decompression surgery, but in some cases the sac can be removed entirely or a shunt can be inserted instead.
As a fundamental principle of surgery is to preserve functionality as much as possible, this is the most common form of surgery if it is considered to be the most effective way to relieve symptoms.
Alternatively, a treatment which involves directly injecting steroids into the inner ear may sometimes be used, which causes an anti-inflammatory action in the infected area and causes the disease to relax its effects.
As with any other condition, surgery is typically used as a last resort when other attempts to manage the condition have not succeeded, and the effects of treatment will be balanced against the effects of the condition so you have a full understanding of what to expect.
