Ménière's—An inner ear seizure

Data of 27 signs, symptoms or findings were collected on 125 confirmed cases of Meniere's disease. Statistical association, plus the percentage prevalence of these findings were studied to perform a cluster analysis. These findings were used to obtain a statistical picture of the disease in terms of the recorded variable (signs, symptoms and findings). The major finding was the existence of a group of variables (a central core) of high percentage occurrence. They consisted of intermittent rotational vertigo, intermittent to constant nerve hearing impairment, tinnitus, pressure in the ears, positional vertigo, nausea, abnormal caloric nystagmus, headache and normal laterotorsion. The first four are the classic criteria of Meniere's disease, the remainder are additions. The average patient had 8 of the 9 conditions; 44% had all 9. A graphic multi‐factor analysis of the signs, symptoms and findings suggests that these patients had a disease of a specific central origin. An alternative suggestion is that of several closely related diseases arising from adjacent central locations. No indication was found that influenza, hypertension, arteriosclerosis or diabetes were consistent precursors of Meniere's disease. Spontaneous, positional, gaze and optokinetic (tracking) nystagmus showed no demonstrable relationship to the Meniere's signs and symptoms. They showed the ordinary population prevalence except for spontaneous nystagmus which was slightly higher. The possibility of using these associations as a guide for correlation of the disease manifestations with neuroatomic tracts and areas is suggested.