Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and Endolymphatic Hydrops

Abstract
Plasma antidiuretic hormone (p-ADH) concentrations were determined with a radioimmunoassay, using a reversed-phase C., silica column, in 300 patients with vertigo, dizziness and/or deafness; 119 of them had a diagnosis of Meniere's disease. The p-ADH level was significantly elevated in patients with Meniere's disease and others with endolymphatic hydrops, e.g. cochlear Meniere's disease or delayed hydrops. By contrast, the p-ADH level was not so high in cases without the endolymphatic hydrops. The increase in the p-ADH level was closely linked to vertigo attacks, the glycerol test results and an enhanced negative summating potential (SP) in electrocochleogram (ECochG). These results lead to the assumption that disorders of ADH-dependent hormonal control in the inner ear may constitute the possible mechanism underlying vertigmous attacks and deafness in patients with endolymphatic hydrops.