ENT: Meniere's Disease: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Meniere’s Disease🌀 Unpack the pathophysiology and practical implications of this unpredictable inner ear disorder—perfect for ENT revision and real-life GP scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Chronic inner ear condition causing recurrent episodes of: – 🌀 Vertigo – 👂 Sensorineural hearing loss – 🔔 Tinnitus – 🎧 Aural fullness💡 Mnemonic: "VHiT-F" – Vertigo, Hearing loss, Tinnitus, Fullness📌 Cause & Risk Factors• Caused by endolymphatic hydrops (↑ fluid in inner ear)• Exact cause unknown; potential triggers: – Viral infections – Autoimmune disease (e.g. SLE, RA) – Allergies – Head trauma – Genetic factors• 🎯 Risk ↑ with: – Family history – Age 40–60 – Migraines – Autoimmune disease – Viral inner ear insults📌 Pathophysiology• Endolymphatic hydrops = fluid pressure build-up in the membranous labyrinth• Pressure distorts balance and hearing structures → – Disrupts signals to brain – Triggers vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss• Can cause membrane rupture, mixing fluids & worsening symptoms📌 Symptoms🎯 Classic triad = 1️⃣ Vertigo (episodes last 20 mins–hours) 2️⃣ Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss (esp. low frequency) 3️⃣ TinnitusAural fullnessNausea/vomitingDrop attacks (rare sudden falls w/o LOC)Nystagmus (during attacks)📌 Diagnosis• Clinical + audiometry• 🧠 AAO-HNS criteria: – ≥2 spontaneous vertigo episodes ≥20 min – Audiogram-confirmed hearing loss – Tinnitus or ear fullness• 🎯 Tools: – Audiometry – MRI brain (rule out acoustic neuroma) – ECOG (measures inner ear pressure) – VNG & Vestibular tests (e.g. Romberg, Unterberger)❌ Dix-Hallpike test = NEGATIVE (helps rule out BPPV)📌 Management🎯 Acute attacks: – Prochlorperazine for vertigo/nausea – Rest & hydration🎯 Prevention: – Betahistine (improves microcirculation) – Low salt diet – Avoid caffeine, stress, smoking 🚭 – Vestibular rehab exercises🎯 Hearing support: – Hearing aids – Tinnitus masking🛠️ Advanced Options: – Miniett device – Intratympanic steroids/gentamicin (gentamicin = risk to hearing) – Surgery:  • Endolymphatic sac decompression  • Vestibular nerve section  • Labyrinthectomy (if hearing gone)📣 DVLA: – Must inform DVLA – Stop driving until vertigo is well-controlled📌 Prognosis & Complications✅ Vertigo may decrease over years❗ Hearing loss & tinnitus may worsen🧠 Anxiety, depression common💔 Impacts driving, work, social life💡 Early treatment improves quality of life📎 More MSRA Resources for Meniere’s Disease📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/menieres-disease-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/menieres-disease-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/menieres-disease-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/menieres-disease-rapid-quiz/🎯 Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/menieres-disease/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/ent-for-the-msra/#MSRA #MSRARevisionNotes #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQandANotes #MSRAAccordions #ENT #MenieresDisease #Vertigo #GPTraining #MSRAOnlineRevision #DVLA