Pulsatile tinnitus: contemporary assessment and management : Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery

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Otology and neuro-otology: Edited by Myles L. Pensak

Pulsatile tinnitus

contemporary assessment and management

Sismanis, Aristidesa,b

Author Information

aDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Athens

bA’ ORL Clinic, Ippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece

Correspondence to Aristides Sismanis, MD, FACS, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Athens, Athens, Greece E-mail: [email protected]

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery 19(5):p 348-357, October 2011. | DOI: 10.1097/MOO.0b013e3283493fd8

Abstract

Purpose of review 

Pulsatile tinnitus is an uncommon otologic symptom, which often presents a diagnostic and management dilemma to the otolaryngologist. The majority of patients with pulsatile tinnitus have a treatable cause. Failure to establish correct diagnosis may have disastrous consequences, because a potentially life-threatening, underlying disorder may be present. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the otolaryngologist with the most common causes, evaluation, and management of pulsatile tinnitus.

Recent findings 

The pathophysiology, classification, various causes, evaluation, and management of the most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus are presented in this review.

Summary 

Pulsatile tinnitus deserves a thorough evaluation and, in the majority of cases, there is a treatable underlying cause. The possibility of a life-threatening cause needs to be ruled out in every patient with pulsatile tinnitus. The otolaryngologist should be familiar with the evaluation and management of this symptom.

© 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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