Intratympanic dexamethasone application in Meniere's disease-Is it superior to conventional therapy?

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of conventional medical treatment versus transtympanic dexamethasone application into middle ear as treatment modality in Meniere's disease. STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized study. SETTING Tertiary referral centre. METHOD Forty patients of Meniere's disease were treated, 20 by conventional method and 20 by transtympanic dexamethasone applications. INTERVENTION Theraputic. RESULTS Vertigo control of 85% achieved in study group when compared to 80% in control group, 15% of patients had hearing improvement in study group while 10% had hearing improvement in control group. Aural fullness and tinnitus control were identical in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Both modalities of therapy were found to have almost equal efficacy, with Intra tympanic steroid (ITS) therapy having an edge over conventional therapy in cases with severe attacks and shorter duration of symptoms.