[Treatment of equilibrium disorders with Ginkgo biloba extract. A multicenter double-blind drug vs. placebo study]. / Traitement des troubles de l'équilibre par l'extrait de Ginkgo biloba. Etude multicentrique à double insu face au placebo.

This study, conducted in 3 centres, included 70 patients with vertiginous syndrome of recent onset and undetermined origin. In a double-blind trial extending over a 3-month period they were given either Ginkgo biloba extract or a placebo. The effectiveness of Ginkgo biloba extract on the intensity, frequency and duration of the disorder was statistically significant. At the end of the trial, 47% of the patients treated were rid of their symptoms as against 18% of those who received the placebo.

Membranous ruptures in Meniere's disease: existence, location, and incidence.

Whether or not attacks of Meniere's disease are related to ruptures in the membranous labyrinth is still a point of contention. To help clarify this point, we used light microscopy to study the membranous labyrinth in 14 temporal bones with hydrops from patients with Meniere's disease, four bones with hydrops from patients without Meniere's disease, and 11 normal bones. Findings suggest that ruptures are specific to bones with hydrops from patients with Meniere's disease and that they occur more frequently in Reissner's membrane than in the vestibular membranes.

[Current histopathological findings in Ménière's disease]. / Données histopathologiques récentes concernant la maladie de Ménière.

Controversy exists as to the presence of ruptures of the membranous labyrinth in patients with Meniere's disease, some authors considering the lesions reported to be artefacts only. Confirmation of the existence of healed labyrinthine tears was obtained in all cases of clinically and histopathologically confirmed Menière's disease studied by means of a protocol involving strict criteria. Lesions were observed mainly in Reissner's membrane and demonstrated three particular aspects. It is suggested that the images described by Out-Pouch in the posterior labyrinth are also the result of healed ruptures.