The impact of the cochlear-carotid interval on tinnitus perception.

PURPOSE: We hypothesized that the cochlear-carotid interval (CCI), which is defined as the smallest distance along the petrous segment of the internal carotid artery and basal turn of cochlea, may be associated with direct stimulation of hair cells, thereby affecting tinnitus perception. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the CCI, tinnitus perception, and accompanying hearing loss in patients with tinnitus.

METHODS

The CCI on both sides was measured independently by two observers from the temporal 3D b-FFE MR images of 25 patients with tinnitus and 20 age/gender matched control subjects. The relationships between CCI, tinnitus visual analog scale (VAS), and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) were investigated.

RESULTS

CCI ranged 0.2-5.6 mm (1.9 ± 1.5) on the right and 0.1-5.4 mm (2.2 ± 1.6) on the left side in the patient group and 0.5-5.4 (1.9 ± 1.4) mm on the right and 0.3-6.7 (2.3 ± 1.7) on the left side in the control group. The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CCI showed a strong negative correlation with THI and VAS scores on both sides. Correlation of audiologic findings with CCI revealed a significant negative correlation with pure tone average of the ipsilateral ear most affectedly at high frequencies.

CONCLUSION

The strong negative correlation of CCI with tinnitus-related distress and accompanying sensorineural hearing loss predominantly at high frequencies suggests that further studies on patients with tinnitus that focus on this small area may help to improve the knowledge of tinnitus pathophysiology.