Clinical characteristics of patients with pulsatile tinnitus accompanied by ethmoid sinus lesions and high jugular bulb.

Abstract

Objective: Exploring the temporal bone Computed Tomography (CT) features and clinical characteristics of patients with ethmoid sinus lesions (ESL) combined with high jugular bulb (HJB) and pulsatile tinnitus symptoms.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients. Patients with both ESL and HJB were classified into the combined group, while others were assigned to the non-combined group. The severity of tinnitus was assessed using the Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ), along with the comparison of the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. Meanwhile, univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify factors affecting the prognosis of patients.

Results: Among patients with hearing loss in the combined group, the severity of hearing impairment was primarily moderate (65.85%), while that in the non-combined group was mainly mild (49.61%), with differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). In the hearing threshold curve classification, meanwhile, the combined group predominantly showed high-frequency hearing loss (64.63%), with the non-combined group mainly exhibiting low-frequency hearing loss (58.10%), and the differences between the two groups were significant (P < 0.05). The overall response rate of treatment in the combined group was lower than that in the non-combined group (P < 0.05). Moreover, prognostic regression analysis suggested the severity of hearing loss and the presence of ESL + HJB as independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of PT patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: PT patients are predominantly affected on the right side, primarily manifested as intermittent tinnitus. The severity of hearing loss and the presence of ESL + HJB are independent factors affecting the prognosis of PT patients.