Subjective visual vertical in patients with unilateral definite Meniere's diseases

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) test is a clinical tool to evaluate the utricular function and the gravity perception pathways in peripheral and central vestibular lesions. Meniere’s disease (MD) involves cochlear and otolithic organs. The prevalence and features of otolithic dysfunction in the acute phase of this disease are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate of SVV test in the acute phase of MD and to investigate the validity of SVV test for detection of otolithic disorders in MD patients.
Thirty two patients with unilateral definite Meniere's disease and thirty two normal subjects were enrolled in this study. Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and SVV test were performed.
There was no significant difference between the mean SVV in the normal group and the mean SVV in the healthy side of the patient group, while a significant difference was observed between the mean SVV in the normal group and the mean SVV in the affected side of the patient groups. Also, in the patient group, the difference in the mean SVV between the healthy and affected sides was significant.
Patients with MD have difficulties in perception of verticality that is probably due to utricular dysfunction. In order to improve the level of diagnosis of MD it is suggested to add SVV test to the test battery.