Cass ND, Lindquist NR, Patro A, Smetak MR, Perkins EL, O'Malley MR, Bennett ML, Haynes DS, Tawfik KO. Radiographic Sigmoid Sinus Wall Abnormalities and Pulsatile Tinnitus: A Case-Control Study.
Otol Neurotol 2023;
44:353-359. [PMID:
36843071 DOI:
10.1097/mao.0000000000003842]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Compare incidence of sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities (SSWAs) and other radiographic abnormalities in patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) versus controls.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case-control.
SETTING
Tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS
Adults with PT and high-resolution computed tomography imaging were compared with adults undergoing cochlear implant workup including high-resolution computed tomography imaging.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Incidence of SSWA in PT cohort (n = 141) compared with control (n = 149, n = 298 ears). Secondary outcome measures included differences in demographics and in other radiographic abnormalities between cohorts.
RESULTS
Patients with PT had a higher incidence of SSWA (34% versus 9%, p < 0.001) and superior canal dehiscence (23% versus 12%, p = 0.017) than controls. Spearman product component correlations demonstrated that ipsilateral PT was weakly associated with SSWA ( r = 0.354, p < 0.001). When SSWA was present in the PT cohort (n = 48 patients, n = 59 ears), in 31 cases (64.6%), the SSWA correlated with PT laterality (e.g., left SSWA, left PT); in 12 (25.0%), SSWA partially correlated with PT laterality (e.g., bilateral SSWA, right PT); and in 5 (10.4%), the SSWA did not correlate with PT laterality (e.g., right SSWA, left PT).
CONCLUSIONS
For our patients with both PT and SSWA, the SSWA is likely a contributing factor in approximately 65% of cases. For a third of patients with PT and concomitant SSWA, the association between the two is either not causative or not solely causative. Surgeons counseling patients with PT and SSWA may be optimistic overall regarding sigmoid resurfacing procedures but must appreciate the possibility of treatment failure, likely because of untreated comorbid conditions.
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