Cochlear hydrops (or cochlear Menieres or cochlear endolymphatic hydrops) is a condition of the inner ear involving a pathological increase of fluid affecting the cochlea. This results in swelling that can lead to hearing loss or changes in hearing perception. It is a form of endolymphatic hydrops and related to Menieres disease. Cochlear hydrops refers to a case of inner-ear hydrops that only involves auditory symptoms and does not cause vestibular issues. Cause and behavior
Cochlear hydrops refers to an increase in endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear. This build-up is either due to an overproduction or insufficient drainage of endolymph in the constant regulation of fluid in the inner ear. Usually, only one ear is affected. The root cause of the process is unclear and may vary from patient to patient, but can have auto-immune, viral, and/or allergic triggers, among others.The build-up of endolymph creates pressure in the scala media. This causes its diameter to increase, and the vestibular membrane to curve outwards in the direction of the vestibule. The changes to the membrane can result in changes to either the hearing perception or hearing threshold of a patient.Episodes are usually cyclical and symptoms fluctuate through time. Patients may be symptom-free between episodes, which themselves may progressively worsen, improve, or remain constant in severity or duration.
During periods of fasting, fatty acids are also an important energy source for the liver and other tissues.Mutations in the HADHA or HADHB genes that cause mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency disrupt all functions of this enzyme complex. Without enough of this enzyme complex, long-chain fatty acids cannot be metabolized. As a result, these fatty acids are not converted to energy, which can lead to some features of this disorder. Long-chain fatty acids may also build up and damage the liver, heart, and muscles. This abnormal buildup causes other symptoms of mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency.The mechanism of this condition indicates that the mitochondrial trifunction protein  catalyzes 3 steps in mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids: long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD), long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase, and long-chain thiolase activities. Trifunctional protein deficiency is characterized by decreased activity of all 3 enzymes. Clinically, trifunctional protein deficiency usually results in sudden unexplained infant death, cardiomyopathy, or skeletal myopathy. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency is often confirmed using tandem mass spectrometry. Genetic counseling is available for this condition. Additionally the following exams are available:

CBC
Urine test

Treatment
Management for mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency entails the following:
Avoiding factors that might precipitate condition
Glucose
Low fat/high carbohydrate nutrition

See also
Long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase

References
Further reading
Nyhan, William L.; Hoffman, Georg F.; Barshop, Bruce A.; Al-Aqeel, Aida I. (2012). Atlas of Inherited Metabolic Diseases 3E. CRC Press. ISBN 9781444149487. Thöny, Beat; Duran, Marinus; Gibson, K. Michael; Dionisi-Vici, Carlo (2013). Physicians Guide to the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up of Inherited Metabolic Diseases. Springer. ISBN 9783642403378.