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

Abstract

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 mmH 2 O. The median Δ ICP total was 130 (range, 55–150) mmH 2 O. The Δ ICP total was linearly correlated with the open lumbar pressure, and a significant difference was found between patients with normal and elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The Δ ICP difference was linearly correlated with the Len difference and Vol difference . Δ ICP was linearly correlated with Len difference . 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.