Studio dell'equilibrio acido-base nella malattia di Meniere

It is known that the alterations in the general hydro-saline balance are very important in Ménière's disease pathologenesis. In particular, metabolic alkalosis and plasmatic hyperosmolatity have been reported in the patients for many years. In order to broaden these observations, we studied the acid-base equilibrium in a group of patients suffering from Ménière's disease. They were selected according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by the National Group of Research on Labyrinthopaîhies. Most of them underwenî oc- casional check-ups while some patients were monitored daily for a period lasting from one to three weeks. Our results confirm the acid-base balance alteration already described in a number of ménièric subjects as a metabolic alkalosis. However, the figures obtained in a longitudinal study point out that the most significant alterations are those close to the crisis. Previous observations have shown an increase in plasmatic osmolality during the ménièric crisis: therefore, it seems possible that these patients, undergo a general disturbance during crisis, consisling of salt and base retention.