Pulsatile Tinnitus Linked to Vascular Loop Compression

[SueX]

I've been struggling with pulsatile tinnitus 24/7 for the past six months, which was attributed to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I had the usual CT and MRI scans, but they were done on an open scanner, and I was told the image quality is not as good as that of a 3T closed MRI scanner. So I recently went through three new scans on the higher-resolution machine.

The report shows that I have two arteries in my head—the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries (AICAs)—that are looped and are touching both the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve on the left side of my head, which is also the side where I have the pulsatile tinnitus. On the right side, the arteries are close but not as close. This type of vascular contact is known to be related to pulsatile tinnitus, although many people with pulsatile tinnitus do not have a vascular cause.

I am still processing the news. I don't think it's great, but at least it's not a tumor. I believe my next step will be to consult either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon.

Has anyone had experience with this kind of situation? I'm feeling a bit shocked by it all.

 

[BuzzyBee]

I've been struggling with pulsatile tinnitus 24/7 for the past six months, which was attributed to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I had the usual CT and MRI scans, but they were done on an open scanner, and I was told the image quality is not as good as that of a 3T closed MRI scanner. So I recently went through three new scans on the higher-resolution machine.

The report shows that I have two arteries in my head—the anterior inferior cerebellar arteries (AICAs)—that are looped and are touching both the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve on the left side of my head, which is also the side where I have the pulsatile tinnitus. On the right side, the arteries are close but not as close. This type of vascular contact is known to be related to pulsatile tinnitus, although many people with pulsatile tinnitus do not have a vascular cause.

I am still processing the news. I don't think it's great, but at least it's not a tumor. I believe my next step will be to consult either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon.

Has anyone had experience with this kind of situation? I'm feeling a bit shocked by it all.

What are your next steps? Is there anything they can do?

Is your tinnitus in sync with your heartbeat, or does it just sound like a hiss?

 

[SueX]

What are your next steps? Is there anything they can do?

Is your tinnitus in sync with your heartbeat, or does it just sound like a hiss?

Hi @BuzzyBee, yes, the tinnitus is in sync with my heartbeat. I saw a neurosurgeon today, and he offered a different perspective. Apparently, I have something else in addition to what I mentioned above.

It was a bit of a shock, to be honest. I found that I could not fully absorb the information at the time because I was in shock, so I am now waiting for the letter with his diagnosis and recommendations. Once I receive that, I will consider my options.

 

[BuzzyBee]

Hi @BuzzyBee, yes, the tinnitus is in sync with my heartbeat. I saw a neurosurgeon today, and he offered a different perspective. Apparently, I have something else in addition to what I mentioned above.

It was a bit of a shock, to be honest. I found that I could not fully absorb the information at the time because I was in shock, so I am now waiting for the letter with his diagnosis and recommendations. Once I receive that, I will consider my options.

It sounds like you are in good hands and will be getting help with whatever this is. I hope you continue to keep us updated, because it seems like your pulsatile tinnitus was a symptom of something more serious but treatable.

 

[SueX]

It is never simple, is it? I am the original poster on this thread. At first, I was just about coming to terms with having a vascular loop, which is an artery in close contact with the vestibular and cochlear nerves. Then I was told that although the vascular loop was indeed present, it probably was not the cause of the pulsatile tinnitus.

Instead, I was told the cause was brain herniation into a large arachnoid granulation in the transverse sinus. It took me a long time to understand that. Arachnoid granulations are normal structures of uncertain purpose that sit in the venous sinuses, but they can grow very large, and sometimes brain matter can herniate into them.

I was told this herniation is more likely to be the cause of the tinnitus, as it creates turbulent blood flow. But the herniation itself has to have a cause, and yesterday I was told it was probably Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

It is a lot to take in. And to think that just a few weeks ago, I thought I might only have a middle ear infection.