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Published on: December 11, 2017
Long-Term Outcomes of Sigmoid Sinus Wall Reconstruction for Pulsatile Tinnitus Due to Sigmoid Sinus Wall Anomalies
Adaobi Eleanor Ahanotu1, Kimberly Oslin, Marjohn Rasooly
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD.
Objective:
To assess the long-term outcomes of sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR) in patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWAs).
Study Design:
Single-center retrospective review.
Setting:
Tertiary referral center.
Patients:
Patients who underwent SSWR for PT with SSWAs more than 5 years prior to study initiation.
Interventions:
Therapeutic-all patients underwent sinus wall reconstruction for pulsatile tinnitus with sigmoid sinus anomalies.
Main Outcome Measures:
The primary outcomes were complete or partial resolution of PT lasting at least 5 years postoperatively and short-term relief from PT after surgery with long-term recurrence as determined by a self-assessment questionnaire and corroborated by the medical record.
Results:
Thirty-five patients (37 ears) out of 58 eligible patients 5 years postoperatively from SSWR completed the survey. Short-term and long-term success rates of SSWR are 97.3% (36/37 ears) and 83.8% (31/37 ears), respectively. Of the patients, 13.5% (5/37 ears) experienced recurrence of PT on the same side following initial resolution. Of our patients, 8.6% had a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) after a follow-up period of more than 5 years.
Conclusions:
Sinus wall reconstruction is an effective procedure for long-term control of PT in patients with SSWAs, with an acceptable safety profile and very low additional risk of exacerbating or provoking complications associated with IIH.
