Imaging examinations in pulsatile tinnitus. A delicate choice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.2174Keywords:
Tinnitus, Imaging, Eco-Doppler, Angioresonance, Angio-TCAbstract
Pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom/sign that should be quickly identified and properly studied. Their aetiology can be vascular or non-vascular, and their investigation requires imaging characterisation. This study evaluates the results of imaging exams initially requested in patients with pulsatile tinnitus in the ENT department at ULS Região de Aveiro between 2019 and 2023. Of the 98 exams analysed, 54.1% corresponded to patients with pulsatile tinnitus. 84.9% of these underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound and 15.1% angio-CT/MRI. We observed a significant prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes in our sample. CT angiography was more effective in detecting alterations compatible with a neurovascular aetiology of pulsatile tinnitus. The choice of imaging exam should be based on pre-test probability and the need to exclude clinically relevant pathologies. The use of CTA/MRI should be prioritised in cases of suspected skull base/temporal bone pathology, paraganglioma or neurovascular conflict.
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