Abstract

Background and Objectives: Patients with Meniere’s disease often present with a great variety of symptoms, especially at the onset of the disease. However, there is no single test that is definitive for making the diagnosis of Meniere’s disease. Recently, a new diagnostic test, the cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure (CHAMP) was introduced as a test for endolymphatic hydrops. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of CHAMP test in Meniere’s disease in comparison with that of electrocochleography. Materials and Methods: The CHAMP test and electrocochleography were simultaneously performed in 14 cases of definite Meniere’s disease and 8 normal healthy volunteers (16 ears). Positive criteria were defined as being more than 0.35 in summating potential/action potential (SP/AP) ratio, 0.3 ms or less in latency delay and 0.95 or less in complex amplitude ratio. Measured parameters from each test were compared between the groups, and sensitivity and specificity of each test in diagnosing Meniere’s disease were calculated. Results: There was no significant difference in the SP/AP ratio of electrocochleography between the Meniere’s disease and control groups. In CHAMPtest, the latency delay was shorter and the complex amplitude ratio was smaller (p<0.001). While taking positive results from both test parameters, the sensitivity and specificity of CHAMP test were 85.7% and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The CHAMP seems to be a clinically useful tool in diagnosing Meniere’s disease and might be better than electrocochleography to detect endolymphatic hydrops.

• Keywords: Cochlear hydrops analysis masking procedure;Auditory evoked potentials;Meniere disease;Endolymphatic hydrops;