Posterior fossa XXXX as primary surgical treatment of Meni  re's disease: a re-evaluation.

@entity1 @entity393 @entity394
Fifty-eight @entity1 underwent @entity394 via the posterior fossa approach between September 1992 and December 1998 at the ENT department of Legnano. All @entity1 presented a history of disabling unilateral Meni  re's disease and underwent complete neuro-otologic evaluation following the 1985 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines. All @entity1 underwent MRI imaging, ABR and electronystagmographic testing before surgery. Objective analysis of results is reported using the criteria published by the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium of the AAO-HNS in 1985. According to the AAO formula, 52 @entity1 obtained a score of 0, indicating complete control of major vertigo spells, while four were classified within the 'substantial control' group. Immediate hearing results indicated that 93 per cent of the @entity1 maintained a level within 10 dB from the pre-operative level. Only one @entity1 experienced a @entity393 yet retained measurable hearing. No major complications were reported. We conclude that a retrosigmoid approach to @entity394 can be considered a safe and effective procedure in relieving medically refractory vertigo in Meni  re's disease while preserving the hearing. Tinnitus and long-term hearing deterioration are not influenced by the procedure.
