Spontaneous otoacoustic emission as a novel method to screen pulsatile tinnitus caused by sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities: a prospective study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic potential of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA).MethodsThis study included 20 PT patients and 20 matched healthy controls. SOAE, DPOAE, and PTA were assessed before and after compression of the internal jugular vein. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests to compare differences in SOAE amplitude, DPOAE signal-to-noise ratios, and PTA thresholds, while independent t-tests assessed age differences, and one-way ANOVA evaluated mean PTA thresholds.ResultsSOAE amplitudes were significantly higher in ipsilesional ears compared to contralesional and control ears. DPOAE showed a significant difference in 0.5 kHz S/N-ratio between ipsilesional and contralesional ears. PTA revealed higher thresholds in ipsilesional ears at low frequencies, with differences decreasing after compression.ConclusionBesides radiological modalities, SOAE is a sensitive tool for diagnosing and assessing the severity of PT in patients with SSWA, with DPOAE and PTA providing supplementary information. These findings suggest a multimodal approach for the diagnosis of PT related to SSWA.