Association between the extent of sigmoid sinus dehiscence and an occurrence of pulsatile tinnitus: a retrospective imaging study

AIM: To assess the extent of sigmoid sinus dehiscence (SSD) on high-resolution computed tomography venography (HRCTV) or high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images in pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and non-PT groups to determine whether there is an association between the extent of SSD and occurrence of PT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight SSD patients with ipsilateral PT and 28 age- and gender-matched SSD patients without PT who underwent HRCTV or HRCT were enrolled in this study and categorised into two groups: "PT group" and "non-PT group". The extent of SSD in each group was calculated and compared. RESULTS: The largest transverse diameter and largest vertical diameter of SSD in the PT group were 6.21 +/- 1.7 and 6.15 +/- 2.19 mm, respectively. The largest transverse diameter and largest vertical diameter of SSD in the non-PT group were 3.06 +/- 1.38 and 2.51 +/- 1.03 mm, respectively. The extent of SSD was statistically different between the two groups (p<0.001; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a cause of PT, SSD can also occur in individuals without PT symptoms. Preliminary findings suggest that there may be a potential correlation between the extent of SSD and an occurrence of PT. (C) 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists, Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.