Preoperative and Postoperative Tinnitus in Patients with Sellar Masses: A Patient-Promoted Study

Both tinnitus and sellar masses are common disorders in the general population and sometimes occur together. However, little is known about their relationship. We investigated the prevalence, clinical aspects, and impact of tinnitus in patients with sellar masses, and evaluated the effect of surgical tumor resection on these variables.

A prospective, controlled, single-center study was conducted, including 57 patients (aged 53.1 ± 16.4 years; 47% male) and 29 of their partners as controls (aged 54.8 ± 14.9 years; 55% male). Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of case history items and the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire-Dutch version twice: 1 month preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively.

Prior to transsphenoidal surgery, 24/57 (42%) of patients and 8/29 (28%) of controls reported having tinnitus (P = 0.19). After surgery, the prevalence of tinnitus in the patient group decreased to 12/49 (24%), while 4 patients reported an increase in tinnitus. The impact of tinnitus on daily life remained low. No differences were found in the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of tinnitus before and after surgery compared with controls.

In this study, we found no association between tinnitus and (resection of) sellar masses. However, as the decrease in tinnitus prevalence was more pronounced in patients than in controls, and tinnitus resolved in 1 patient after resection of a giant nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, and worsened in 2 patients with perioperative bleeding complications, tinnitus may be associated with sellar masses in selected cases.