[A dural fistula as a rare cause for a pulse-synchronized tinnitus aurium]

Pulse-synchronized tinnitus aurium is commonly caused by vascular processes within the area of the temporal bone. With a microphone or a stethoscope in the external ear or on the mastoid perceptible noises can be heard by the physician. The most important differential diagnoses of an objective tinnitus are paraganglioma of the glomus jugulare or the glomus tympanicum, vascular stenosis, arteriovenouse malformations, aneurysms and atypic findings of the bulbus venae jugularis interna of the temporal bone. In case of a pulse-synchronized tinnitus purposeful use of neuroradiological diagnostic can lead to a correct diagnosis. The indication for invasive intervention of dural fistulas depends on the number and the hemodynamic relevance of these fistulas and on individual suffering of the patient. Even if it does not succeed, all to embolize AV-short-circuits, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the tinnitus in order to continue with conservative therapy.