The sigmoid sinus diverticulum (SSD) is an increasingly recognized cause of pulsatile tinnitus (PT). 5 individuals experienced no switch in PT. No serious complications were found postoperatively. A comparative analysis of the preoperative and postoperative CTA findings suggested that completely resolving SSD and the accompanying SSWD resulted in the elimination of PT. In conclusion, SSD is generally accompanied by SSWD. Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction is usually a safe and effective approach for the treatment of SSD. During surgery, completely resolving both SSD and SSWD is usually advisable, and maintaining the normal diameter of the sigmoid sinus is usually imperative. INTRODUCTION Tinnitus, defined as the perception of an auditory sensation in 50924-49-7 supplier the absence of an external stimulus,1,2 is usually a common disorder. Tinnitus is an Rabbit Polyclonal to ACHE annoying and disabling symptom in numerous individuals. Tinnitus may be classified as either nonpulsatile tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus (PT). Nonpulsatile tinnitus, usually continuous and 50924-49-7 supplier subjective, is usually markedly more common than PT. Because its pathogenesis is still unknown, etiological treatments for nonpulsatile tinnitus are limited. PT, whose rhythm usually coincides with the heartbeat, is relatively rare, and comprises approximately 4% of patients with tinnitus.2,3 PT is generally caused by vibrations from the turbulent blood flow of vascular structures that reach the cochlea.1 PT is surgically curable when the causative vascular anomalies or tumors are determined and eliminated. Sigmoid sinus diverticulum (SSD) is usually a newly and increasingly recognized cause of PT. SSD is usually defined as a well-circumscribed sac in which the sigmoid sinus focally protrudes into the adjacent mastoid area.4,5 It was first reported as a laterally placed sigmoid sinus6 in 1995 and was also previously described as an aneurysm of the sigmoid sinus.7C9 SSD was previously considered 50924-49-7 supplier an uncommon cause of PT; however, because an increasing number of PT patients with SSD have recently been reported, it has been established as the most common identifiable cause of venous-originating PT.10C12 Increasing attention is being paid to this structure. Another explanation for the increased awareness of SSD by otologists and radiologists is usually that SSD is usually treatable with a high rate of success. Two approaches have been developed to treat PT patients with SSD successfully: endovascular coiling/stenting7C9,13C15 and transmastoid surgery (sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction).4,16,17 Endovascular treatment is used to embolize the diverticulum by coiling or stenting, thereby correcting the turbulent blood flow in SSD. However, there are some risks associated with endovascular treatment, such as coil migration, increased intracranial pressure, and thrombosis. To prevent thrombosis, anticoagulation is necessary during the perioperative period. Moreover, it fails to repair sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD), which is also a significant cause of PT and co-occurs with SSD in many cases.5,18,19 In contrast, transmastoid surgery aims to excise the SSD and repair bony wall dehiscence using autologous or artificial materials. It involves few of the risks mentioned above because it does not require surgery on blood vessels, and no anticoagulation is necessary during the perioperative period. In addition, transmastoid surgery is usually curative for dehiscence alone, without diverticulum formation.18,20 Therefore, it is recommended as the preferred treatment 50924-49-7 supplier for PT patients with SSD.4,16 Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction was first reported by Otto et al in the successful treatment of 3 PT patients with SSD.4 In their study, following the skeletonization of the sigmoid sinus, the adjacent dura, and the diverticulum, the sigmoid sinus wall was reconstructed through the extraluminal placement of either the temporalis muscle and fascia or bone wax. Eisenman’s group16,17 performed the surgery 50924-49-7 supplier with a similar surgical technique, except that a soft-tissue graft of temporalis fascia or neuro-alloderm was interposed between the dura and the posterior fossa bony plate to reconstruct the soft tissue sinus wall. They found that although most patients (28/31) experienced complete resolution of PT.