Secondary tinnitus as a symptom of instability of the upper cervical spine: operative management

Tinnitus very often is caused by instability of the craniocervical junction. It very frequently manifests as a high-pitched whistle that disappears after operative correction and stabilization of the articular geometry. Prolapsed intervertebral disks, discoligamentous injury, and even metastases as low as level C3 can cause tinnitus, which also usually disappears after surgery.