A Historical Recount: Discovering Meniere's Disease and Its Association with Migraine Headaches.

Objectives: In evaluating the historical context of the first description of Meniere's disease, its association with migraine headaches is compelling. We have outlined the events and observations of Prosper Meniere, which led him to establish a link between migraine headaches and his eponymous disease. Study Design: Prosper Meniere's original French writings were translated by our group and used to recount his observations and thoughts. Miles Atkinson's English translations were used as a reference. Additional otological texts of the era were also reviewed as it relates to Meniere's disease. Methods: Prosper Meniere wrote a series of four articles 1 year before his death. In one of these articles, he makes references to migraine headaches on several occasions. These original writings were analyzed, and the physical findings he described were interpreted based on their relation to migraine headaches. Results: The passages in his published articles provide historical insight into Meniere's observations. His writings describe in detail symptoms of migraine headaches uniquely evident in his patient population. Through his observations, he recognized that in addition to exhibiting symptoms of tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo his patients also suffered from migraine headaches. Conclusions: Although his colleagues discounted Meniere's theory concerning migraine headaches, he continued to make deductive inferences and publish his findings, leading to the association of migraine headaches and Meniere's disease. Today, this association continues to be debated, adding to Prosper Meniere's legacy. Copyright (C) 2016 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

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