Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
The diagnosis of Ménière's disease is based on the patient's medical history, a physical examination, and the results of hearing tests, balance tests, an electronystagmogram, and imaging studies. An MRI or CT scan is performed to rule out...
a tumor as the cause of the patient's symptoms. A hearing test (audiogram) identifies the hearing loss that is typical of Ménière's disease. Balance function tests are administered to assess the patient's vertigo.
The patient is prepared for surgery by having the hair removed and the skin shaved over an area of at least 1.5 in (3.8 cm) around the site of the incision. A mild solution of soap and water is commonly used to cleanse the outer ear and surrounding skin.
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Definition
An endolymphatic shunt is a surgical procedure in which a very small silicone tube is placed in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear to drain excess fluid.
Purpose
An endolymphatic shunt is placed as part of the treatment of Ménière's disease, a disorder of the inner ear whose causes are still unknown. Ménière's disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
a rise in the level of endolymphatic fluid in the labyrinth of the inner ear
hearing loss that comes and goes
a sensation that the environment or oneself is revolving or spinning (vertigo)
ringing, buzzing, or hissing noises in the ears (tinnitus)
a feeling that the ears are blocked or plugged
Endolymphatic shunt surgery is one of the surgical procedures available to treat Ménière's disease, which is also known as endolymphatic hydrops. The surgery is based on the theory that the disorder causes the inner ear to become overloaded with fluid and that draining this fluid will relieve the symptoms. The fluid is drained by opening the endolymphatic sac, a pouch located next to the mastoid bone at the end of the endolymphatic duct. The endolymphatic duct is a canal that leads to the inner ear.
From http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/endolymphatic-shunt
Other Information
In 2006, estimates of the direct medical costs of allergic rhinitis in the US ranged from $1.16 billion to $4.5 billion, rising to $7.7 billion when indirect costs were included.
From: AHRQ
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