Meniere’s disease (MD) is characterized by episodic vertigo accompanied by fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus. The condition often has an unpredictable course and is associated with severe-profound hearing loss, vestibular drop attacks with vertigo, balance and gait problems, and poor general health-related quality of life as well as functional limitations and restrictions. Although less frequently observed in research studies, vestibular hypofunction leads to cognitive problems such as visuospatial abilities, processing speed, short-term memory, and executive function resulting in a heterogeneous complaint profile. The MD is believed to originate in the inner ear, and the specific pathological changes of endolymphatic hydrops can be demonstrated in histological preparations or with MRI, although the etiology of the disease is unknown. However, there is still space to improve the accuracy of MRI detection of endolymphatic hydrops. The favorable outcome of intratympanic corticosteroid indicates that inflammatory reaction is involved in most MD patients. However, long term efficacy of the current therapeutic modalities is not guaranteed. Advances in molecular biology, genetics, materials, and nanotechnology may provide promising novel treatments for MD.
This Research Topic aims to promote a better understanding of the underlying inflammatory mechanisms of MD, to improve the accuracy of MRI detection of endolymphatic hydrops in MD, and to explore and test the novel therapeutic strategy of MD targeting the inflammatory reaction process. Imaging protocols other than MRI may also be accepted for publication when obvious advantages are demonstrated.
We welcome all manuscript types covering both human studies and animal studies, which include:
- Original Research
- Systematic Review
- Methods
- Brief Research Report (excluding case reports)
- Clinical Trial
- Hypothesis and Theory
- Perspective
Meniere’s disease (MD) is characterized by episodic vertigo accompanied by fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus. The condition often has an unpredictable course and is associated with severe-profound hearing loss, vestibular drop attacks with vertigo, balance and gait problems, and poor general health-related quality of life as well as functional limitations and restrictions. Although less frequently observed in research studies, vestibular hypofunction leads to cognitive problems such as visuospatial abilities, processing speed, short-term memory, and executive function resulting in a heterogeneous complaint profile. The MD is believed to originate in the inner ear, and the specific pathological changes of endolymphatic hydrops can be demonstrated in histological preparations or with MRI, although the etiology of the disease is unknown. However, there is still space to improve the accuracy of MRI detection of endolymphatic hydrops. The favorable outcome of intratympanic corticosteroid indicates that inflammatory reaction is involved in most MD patients. However, long term efficacy of the current therapeutic modalities is not guaranteed. Advances in molecular biology, genetics, materials, and nanotechnology may provide promising novel treatments for MD.
This Research Topic aims to promote a better understanding of the underlying inflammatory mechanisms of MD, to improve the accuracy of MRI detection of endolymphatic hydrops in MD, and to explore and test the novel therapeutic strategy of MD targeting the inflammatory reaction process. Imaging protocols other than MRI may also be accepted for publication when obvious advantages are demonstrated.
We welcome all manuscript types covering both human studies and animal studies, which include:
- Original Research
- Systematic Review
- Methods
- Brief Research Report (excluding case reports)
- Clinical Trial
- Hypothesis and Theory
- Perspective