Clinical evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus: history and physical examination techniques to predict vascular etiology.

Background: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) may be due to a spectrum of cerebrovascular etiologies, ranging from benign venous turbulence to life threatening dural arteriovenous fistulas. A focused clinical history and physical examination provide clues to the ultimate diagnosis; however, the predictive accuracy of these features in determining PT etiology remains uncertain.

Methods: Patients with clinical PT evaluation and DSA were included.

Cerebrovascular pulsatile tinnitus: causes, treatments, and outcomes in 164 patients with neuroangiographic correlation.

Background: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can cause significant detriment to quality of life and may herald a life-threatening condition. Endovascular evaluation is the gold standard for the definitive diagnosis of PT and facilitates treatment. However, no large study has determined the distribution of causes and treatment outcomes of PT evaluated endovascularly.