Dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid pressure alterations and bilateral transverse-sigmoid sinus morphologies in Asian patients with venous pulsatile tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to investigate the dynamics of intracranial pressure (ICP) alterations and bilateral transverse-sigmoid sinus morphologies in patients with venous pulsatile tinnitus (PT).

METHODS

This retrospective study involved 27 patients with venous PT associated with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies. ICP and ICP metrics were measured by cerebrospinal fluid manometry and internal jugular vein compression tests. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the statistical correlation between ICP and the morphological metrics.

RESULTS

The mean ICP was 212.5 ± 47.3 mmH2O. The median ΔICPtotal was 130 (range, 55-150) mmH2O. The ΔICPtotal was linearly correlated with the open lumbar pressure, and a significant difference was found between patients with normal and elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The ΔICPdifference was linearly correlated with the Lendifference and Voldifference. ΔICP was linearly correlated with Lendifference.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete obstruction of flow patency should be avoided in patients with low ICP and large volumetric/patency differences in the bilateral transverse-sigmoid sinus systems.