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Is there a relationship between subjective pulsatile tinnitus and petrous bone pneumatization?
Esra Sözen1, Irfan Çelebi, Yusuf Orhan Uçal
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. esrasoz@gmail.com
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|March 26, 2013
Summary
Increased petrous bone pneumatization is linked to subjective pulsatile tinnitus. This condition, where air cells extend into the temporal bone, may cause the pulsatile tinnitus sound.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Subjective pulsatile tinnitus is a complex auditory condition.
- Petrous bone pneumatization, the presence of air cells within the temporal bone, is a known anatomical variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between subjective pulsatile tinnitus and the extent of petrous bone pneumatization.
- To determine if petrous bone pneumatization is a potential cause of pulsatile tinnitus.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 25 patients with subjective pulsatile tinnitus and 25 control subjects without ear pathology.
- Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess petrous bone pneumatization in both groups.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of pneumatization between the groups.
Main Results:
- Subjective pulsatile tinnitus was present in 32 of 50 ears studied.
- Petrous bone pneumatization was detected in 68.8% of ears with pulsatile tinnitus, compared to 24% in the control group.
- A statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in petrous bone pneumatization was observed between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Petrous bone pneumatization is significantly more prevalent in patients experiencing subjective pulsatile tinnitus.
- This anatomical variation is a potential contributing factor or direct cause of subjective pulsatile tinnitus.
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