Imaging in pulsatile tinnitus

• Published in: Clinical radiology Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 319 - 328
• Main Authors: Madani, G, Connor, S.E.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arteriovenous Fistula - complications; Arteriovenous Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Diseases, Developmental - complications; Bone Diseases, Developmental - diagnostic imaging; Child; Contrast Media; Ear Diseases - complications; Ear Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pseudotumor Cerebri - complications; Pseudotumor Cerebri - diagnostic imaging; Radiology; Tinnitus - diagnostic imaging; Tinnitus - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Vascular Neoplasms - complications; Vascular Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Auditory disorder; Radiology; Nuclear medicine; ENT disease; Tinnitus
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2008.08.014

Tinnitus may be continuous or pulsatile. Vascular lesions are the most frequent radiologically demonstrable cause of pulsatile tinnitus. These include congenital vascular anomalies (which may be arterial or venous), vascular tumours, and a variety of acquired vasculopathies. The choice of imaging depends on the clinical findings. If a mass is present at otoscopy, thin-section computed tomography (CT) is indicated. In the otoscopically normal patient, there is a range of possible imaging approaches. However, combined CT angiography and venography is particularly useful.