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Anterior communicating artery aneurysm presenting as pulsatile tinnitus
1Head and Neck Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston 77030.
Summary
Vascular abnormalities in the head and neck can cause objective tinnitus, a pulsatile sound. Aneurysms, though rare, can also present as pulsatile tinnitus, necessitating thorough radiologic evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Objective tinnitus often stems from vascular abnormalities in the head, neck, or brain.
- These abnormalities create turbulent blood flow, perceived as pulsatile tinnitus.
Observation:
- Common causes include aberrant carotid arteries, dehiscent jugular bulbs, and glomus tumors.
- Less common but serious causes include arteriovenous malformations, atherosclerotic disease, and intracranial tumors.
- Anterior communicating artery aneurysms are exceptionally rare causes of pulsatile tinnitus.
Findings:
- A case of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm presenting as pulsatile tinnitus is detailed.
- This represents one of only eight such cases reported in medical literature.
Implications:
- Clinicians must consider aneurysms in the differential diagnosis of pulsatile tinnitus.
- Comprehensive radiologic imaging, such as CT or MRI, is crucial for diagnosis.