Angioplasty and stenting for intractable pulsatile tinnitus caused by dural venous sinus stenosis: a case series report.

OBJECTIVE Pulsatile tinnitus caused by dural venous sinus (DVS) stenosis is a newly identified form of tinnitus. Its persistent nature can severely affect patients' sleep and quality of life, leading to depression in severe cases. The aim of this report is to investigate the efficacy and safety of angioplasty and stenting in treating this form of tinnitus. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING Chinese PLA General Hospital. METHODS Clinical data of 46 cases of pulsatile tinnitus caused by DVS stenosis treated between December 2009 and October 2012 using angioplasty and stenting were reviewed. Diagnosis of DVS abnormality was confirmed in all cases using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Among these cases, stenosis was located in the transverse-sigmoid sinuses junction area ipsilateral to tinnitus in 44 cases and on both sides in the remaining 2 cases. Stenosis was treated with angioplasty and stenting in all cases. RESULTS Pulsatile tinnitus disappeared immediately after the procedure in all 46 cases. There was no procedure-related complication. During the 2 to 36 months' follow-up, there was no recurrence. CONCLUSION These results indicate that DVS stenosis is the cause of pulsatile tinnitus in these cases and that angioplasty and stenting are an effective and safe treatment for intractable pulsatile tinnitus caused by DVS stenosis.