Delayed Immunomodulatory Effect of Cow Milk-Free Diet in Ménière's Disease.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Since 1930, dietary modification has been proposed as adjunct treatment in Ménière's disease (MD) with different and controversial results. We report the case of a 42-year-old female suffering from definite MD and intermittent seasonal allergic rhino-conjunctivitis because it highlights the importance of evaluating the different combinations of defined causative elements in an atopic patient with MD. METHODS: An immunological and audiological evaluation was performed, including pure-tone, speech, and immittance audiometry; glycerol dehydration test; bithermal caloric testing; video head impulse test; cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; static posturography; and Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire. RESULTS: A milk-free diet was crucial to relief from MD symptoms and a cow's milk challenge test was able to evoke them but vestibukar symptoms persist. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of dietary modification was evident only after specific immunotherapies against other allergens. This highlights the importance of evaluating different combinations of defined causative elements in the allergic treatment of MD.