Longitudinal analysis of surgical outcome in subjects with pulsatile tinnitus originating from the sigmoid sinus

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 18194
• Main Authors: Lee, Sang-Yeon, Kim, Min-Kyung, Bae, Yun Jung, An, Gwang Seok, Lee, Kyogu, Choi, Byung Yoon, Koo, Ja-Won, Song, Jae-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 23.10.2020; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/1807; 692/308; 692/617; Adult; Aged; Cranial Sinuses - physiopathology; Cranial Sinuses - surgery; Dehiscence; Etiology; Female; Frequency; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Surgery; Temporal variations; Tinnitus; Tinnitus - etiology; Tinnitus - surgery; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75348-3
• ISSN: 2045-2322

A dominant sigmoid sinus with either diverticulum or dehiscence (SS-Div/SS-Deh) is a common cause of pulsatile tinnitus (PT). For PT originating from SS-Div/SS-Deh, an etiology-specific and secure reconstruction using firm materials is vital for optimal outcomes. As a follow-up to our previous reports on transmastoid SS resurfacing or reshaping for SS-Div/SS-Deh, this study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of transmastoid resurfacing/reshaping. We retrospectively reviewed 20 PT patients who were diagnosed with SS-Div/SS-Deh, underwent transmastoid resurfacing/reshaping, and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively. For PT, immediate and long-term changes (> 1 year) in loudness and annoyance were analyzed using the visual analog scale (VAS). Additionally, pre and postoperative objective measurements of PT using transcanal sound recording and spectro-temporal analysis (TSR-STA), imaging results, and audiological findings were comprehensively analyzed. Significant improvements in PT were sustained or enhanced for > 1 year (median follow-up period: 37 months, range: 12–54 months). On TSR-STA, both peak and root mean square amplitudes decreased after surgery. Also, the average pure-tone threshold at 250 Hz improved after surgery. Thus, our long-term follow-up data confirmed that the surgical management of PT originating from SS-Div/SS-Deh is successful with regard to both objective and subjective measures.