Systematic Review of the Diagnostic Imaging Evaluation of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Aggregate published data on the imaging of pulsatile tinnitus as a step toward building a framework for an evidence-based approach to diagnostic imaging for this symptom.

A systematic review was performed. PUBMED and EMBASE were searched on December 1, 2021 for English-language articles on diagnostic imaging of pulsatile tinnitus. Articles that involved non-standard imaging techniques and those that focused on management of pulsatile tinnitus were excluded. Extracted data included: number of males and females; signs, symptoms, and physical examination findings with associated patient counts; imaging findings; count of patients with imaging-identified cause of pulsatile tinnitus; reported associated interventions and outcomes.

41 articles were included with a total of 2,633 reported patients. 10 studies were prospective. MRA appears to be capable of identifying many of the same pathologies traditionally diagnosed with DSA. Few head-to-head comparisons were performed. In head-to-head comparisons of MRI and MRA, MRA was often able to identify more pathology. There was no clear relationship identified between specific symptoms and the imaging modality chosen, indicating that the imaging evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus is likely sensitive to the preferences of the evaluating provider.

There is limited evidence to inform best practices for the initial imaging evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus and preference-sensitive provider decisions will continue to guide the pulsatile tinnitus workup. We encourage prospective studies with multimodality imaging comparisons to build evidence that would support the development of more effective, efficient, and equitable protocols and pathways for the imaging evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus.