Pulsatile tinnitus: contemporary assessment and management
Written by Σισμάνης-Αθανασιάδης Αριστείδης, Καθηγητής Ωτορινολαρυγγολογίας, Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών | 
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Σισμάνης-Αθανασιάδης Αριστείδης Ωτορινολαρυγγολόγος, Καθηγητής Ωτορινολαρυγγολογίας Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών |
Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Oct;19(5):348-57. doi: 10.1097/MOO.0b013e3283493fd8.
Pulsatile tinnitus: contemporary assessment and management.
Source
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
Pulsatile tinnitus is an uncommon otologic symptom, which often presents a diagnostic and management dilemma to the otolaryngologist. The majority of patients with pulsatile tinnitus have a treatable cause. Failure to establish correct diagnosis may have disastrous consequences, because a potentially life-threatening, underlying disorder may be present. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the otolaryngologist with the most common causes, evaluation, and management of pulsatile tinnitus.
RECENT FINDINGS:
The pathophysiology, classification, various causes, evaluation, and management of the most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus are presented in this review.
SUMMARY:
Pulsatile tinnitus deserves a thorough evaluation and, in the majority of cases, there is a treatable underlying cause. The possibility of a life-threatening cause needs to be ruled out in every patient with pulsatile tinnitus. The otolaryngologist should be familiar with the evaluation and management of this symptom.