Analysis of Outcomes of Sigmoid Sinus Bone Wall Reconstruction for Patients with Pulsatile Tinnitus
ZHOU Yicui
HOU Xiaoyan
LIU Mengqiu
LIU Xiaowei
SUN Jiaqiang
Abstract：Objective To report clinical outcomes of sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction surgeries in patients with unilateral venous pulsating tinnitus.Methods From March 2017 to August 2021,49 patients diagnosed with unilateral venous pulsatile tinnitus secondary to sigmoid sinus defects or diverticulum were enrolled,including 48 females and 1 male aged from 23 to 65 years,with the lesion on the right side in 39 cases and on the left side in 10 cases.All patients underwent preoperative temporal bone CT and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging,including magnetic resonance angiography and venography.Tinnitus severity and body mass index(BMI)were recorded.The same surgeon performed sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction under general anesthesia.Postoperative outcomes were evaluated after a minimum follow-up period of 1 year.The influence of anatomical abnormalities and BMI on clinical outcomes was analyzed.Results Tinnitus completely resolved in 23 cases,significantly improved in 9 cases,somewhat improved in 6 cases,and remained unchanged in 11 cases after followed up for 15-68 months,yielding a total effectiveness rate of 77.55%.Imaging findings included high jugular bulb(14 cases),mastoid emissary vein enlargement(19 cases),empty sella turcica(18 cases)and transverse sinus stenosis(10 cases).Transverse sinus stenosis significantly impacted clinical outcomes(P=0.017),whereas other anatomical variants and BMI showed no statistically significant correlation(P>0.05).Conclusion Unilateral venous pulsatile tinnitus predominantly affects females and occurs more frequently on the right side,caused by multiple factors.Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction demonstrates favorable therapeutic efficacy.Transverse sinus stenosis is a significant prognostic factor affecting postoperative outcomes.
Keywords：pulsatile tinnitussigmoid sinus wall abnormalitiesbone wall reconstructiontransverse sinus stenosis
Publication Date：2025-10-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-10-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 853-857 )