Abstract
Objective
Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of imaging modalities in detecting the underlying
pathologies in patients with pulsatile tinnitus.
Materials and Methods
Seventy-four patients with pulsatile tinnitus were radiologically evaluated. All patients
except two are evaluated on a thin-section bone algorithm computed tomography scan
covering the temporal bone and skull base, 14 patients with or without contrast-enhanced
brain computed tomography, 7 patients with magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic
resonance angiography, 5 patients with digital subtraction angiography, and 12 patients
with Doppler ultrasonography.
Results
The underlying pathology of tinnitus was detected in 50 patients (67.6%), and 24 patients
were normal with radiologic studies. The most common cause was high jugular bulbus
(21%) followed by atherosclerosis, dehiscent jugular bulbus, aneurysm of internal
carotid artery, dural arteriovenous fistula, aberrant internal carotid artery, jugular
diverticulum, and glomus tumor.
Conclusion
It was concluded that radiologic imaging methods are effective in detecting the underlying
pathology of pulsatile tinnitus.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 29, 2007
Accepted:
December 5,
2006
Received:
October 31,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
