A case against spiral ligament atrophy as a cause of Ménière's disease.

The etiology of Ménière's disease and endolymphatic hydrops has been very difficult to determine. In order to develop rational therapies for patients with Ménière's disease the etiology needs to be established. In the current study an examination was made of the spiral ligament in temporal bones from individuals with Ménière's and endolymphatic hydrops and normal control temporal bones. No evidence of atrophy in either the length or width or the fibrocyte cell density was seen in the temporal bones with Ménière's disease. The role of the spiral ligament in the development of endolymphatic hydrops is still unclear.
(Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)