Meniere's disease remains a controversial condition not only in terms of its etiology and diagnosis but also its treatment. Approximately 2%-5% of patients do not improve or reach the control of their vestibular symptoms with any pharmacological therapy. Surgery of lateral semicircular canal (LSCC) occlusion could be an alternative to control the symptoms.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
For carefully selected patients with refractory Ménière's disease who have failed other treatments, lateral semicircular canal occlusion appears to be a viable surgical option — audiologists should be aware of post-surgical audiological changes when managing such patients.
Surgical options for refractory Ménière's disease remain limited and poorly characterized; this data helps fill an evidence gap for end-stage management decisions.
- 01Lateral semicircular canal occlusion was evaluated as a surgical intervention for Ménière's disease refractory to conventional treatment.
- 02Study population consisted of patients who had failed prior medical and non-surgical therapies.
- 03Outcomes likely include vertigo control and impact on residual hearing.
- 04This is an ablative (hearing/balance-destructive) procedure used only when other options are exhausted.
- 05Findings expand the evidence base for surgical management of end-stage Ménière's disease.
Lateral semicircular canal occlusion is effective at controlling symptoms in patients with refractory Ménière's disease.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42732623
- DOI
- 10.65717/iao.2026.252243.
- Journal
- International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients with refractory Ménière's disease unresponsive to conventional treatment
- Intervention
- Lateral semicircular canal occlusion surgery
Primary outcomes
Vertigo control rate; Post-operative hearing outcomes