[Surgical treatment of vertigo induced by jugular bulb diverticulum]

The position of the jugular bulb is extremely variable. A high jugular fossa with a diverticulum of the jugular bulb can alter the inner ear function with sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus. Nine cases of jugular bulb diverticulum with vertigo mimicking Menière's disease were operated on and followed up from 3 months to 4 years. Eight patients were treated surgically. The jugular bulb was approached through a mastoïdectomy and the diverticulum was compressed downwards using bone wax. The vertigo disappeared after surgery in all cases. These observations suggest that an abnormally of the jugular bulb should be considered as a possible symptom of Ménière's disease and that vertigo can be cured by downward compression of the diverticulum.