[Abnormalities of the bulbus venae jugularis: a cause for pulse synchronous tinnitus?]

Tinnitus synchronous with the pulse is usually caused by vascular processes. The best-known sources are vascular temporal bone tumours and arteriovenous malformations. Vascular tinnitus due to anomalies of the venous system is an entity of its own and may be associated with anomalies of the jugular foramen. The present investigation shows that a high jugular bulb facilitates the occurrence of pulsatile tinnitus, albeit not necessarily leading to a bruit. Imaging methods are necessary not only in the assessment of the jugular bulb but also in the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension, which can present by a typical venous tinnitus.