Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension With and Without Pulsatile Tinnitus: An Age-Matched Cohort Study

Sigmoid Sinus Wall Anomalies Can Progress and May Not Be Congenital

OBJECTIVE

Sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA) are closely linked to venous pulsatile tinnitus (PT). This study aims to demonstrate that SSWA develops progressively rather than being congenital.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 42 PT patients with SSWA who had at least two non-operative CT scans at our clinic. CT images were longitudinally assessed to track SSWA progression, while MRI and Doppler ultrasound evaluated transverse sinus stenosis and venous hemodynamics. Changes in PT perception were tracked using the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) questionnaire.

RESULTS

Among the 42 SSWA patients, 12 (28.6%) exhibited progression. Anastomosis between diploic vein and diverticulum was significantly higher compared to the dehiscence cohort (p < 0.01). Within the diverticulum group, seven individuals (30.4%) experienced enlargement, with a mean diverticular wall expansion of 5.9% ± 11.4%. Progressive erosion was observed in two cases (12.5%) in the dehiscence cohort, with a mean sigmoid plate erosion of 3.8% ± 10.1%. In cases progressing from dehiscence to diverticulum, three subjects transitioned, with a mean sigmoid sinus wall length expansion of 43.8% ± 31.9%. SSWA progression showed a significant negative correlation with QBILATERAL (r = -0.857, p = 0.014), and there was a significant difference between initial and revisit THI scores (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

SSWA can undergo morphological progression, indicating it is a progressive clinical condition rather than congenital.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

The Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is a syndrome of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure without ventriculomegaly, mass lesion, or meningeal abnormality. It is either primary (idiopathic intracranial hypertension, IIH) or secondary. A secondary cause is unlikely when adhering to the diagnostic criteria. Permanent visual loss occurs if undetected or untreated, and the associated headaches may be debilitating. Fulminant disease may result in blindness despite aggressive treatment. This study addresses the diagnosis and management of IIH including new insights into the pathobiology of IIH, updates in therapeutics and causes of overdiagnosis.

Clinical Predictors of Pulsatile Tinnitus in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: An Age-Matched Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) occurs in many but not all patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It is poorly understood why some patients with IIH develop PT, yet others do not. The purpose of this study was to determine if any clinical findings differ between those with and without PT in IIH, potentially shedding light on a pathophysiologic mechanism.

METHODS

Age-matched cohort analysis of patients with documented IIH and presence or absence of PT was performed, collecting data including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, visual acuity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure, sleep apnea, migraines, and transient visual obscurations, among others. Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to analyze continuous and binary variables, respectively, with multivariate analysis conducted including variables statistically significant on univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Eighty subjects with IIH met the inclusion criteria (40 PT+, 40 PT-). CSF opening pressure showed no significant difference between the two groups. The PT+ cohort was found to have an average BMI of 45.1 kg/m 2 , which was significantly higher than the PT- group (37.7 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.0023). PT+ pulse pressure (60.1 mm Hg) was also significantly higher than the PT- group (51.6 mm Hg; p = 0.019). PT+ patients were also significantly more likely to have sleep apnea ( p < 0.001) and migraines ( p = 0.0036). Multiple logistic regression revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 13.9 for sleep apnea, 4.1 for migraines, and 1.01 for every increase in unit of BMI.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with IIH, presence of PT is associated with higher BMI and pulse pressure, and increased incidence of sleep apnea and migraines. Given no significant difference in CSF pressures between the two groups, PT may not be a product of increased disease severity but may be related to sequelae of obesity, such as increased pulse pressure and sleep apnea.

Resurfacing Dehiscence(s) Without Reducing Diverticulum Effectively Silences Pulsatile Tinnitus: Novel Surgical Techniques for Diverticulum and Intraoperative Microphone Monitoring

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize the surgical importance of addressing dehiscence over diverticulum in resolving pulsatile tinnitus (PT) in patients with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWAs) and investigate anatomical differences.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

SETTING

Multi-institutional tertiary university medical centers.

PATIENTS

Fifty participants (dehiscence/diverticulum, 29:21 cases) with SSWA-associated PT were included in the study. All 21 diverticulum participants underwent surgical intervention.

INTERVENTIONS

1) Surgical intervention with novel techniques monitored by intraoperative microphone. 2) Radiologic and ophthalmologic imaging methods.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quantitative and qualitative preoperative and postoperative alterations of PT and anatomical differences between dehiscence and diverticulum.

RESULTS

Addressing dehiscence overlying diverticulum and sigmoid sinus wall dehiscences significantly reduced visual analog score and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory ( p < 0.01). Sinus wall reconstruction led to substantial PT sound intensity reduction in the frequency range of 20 to 1000 Hz and 20 to 500 Hz (paired-sample t test, p < 0.01). Diploic vein analysis showed a significant positive correlation in 85.7% of the diverticulum cohort compared with the dehiscence cohort ( p < 0.01). Eight percent of the participants exhibited papilledema, which was limited to the dehiscence cohort.

CONCLUSION

1) Effective reduction of PT can be achieved by addressing all dehiscences, including those overlying the diverticulum, without the need to exclude the diverticulum. 2) Diploic vein may involve in the formation of diverticulum, and loss of dura mater and vascular wall thickness are observed at the SSWA locations.