Common Causes Of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Intracranial Hypertension

Intracranial hypertension refers to a set of neurological conditions that cause elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. These conditions may be acute or chronic, and they can be caused by underlying medical conditions. Sometimes, the cause of a patient's intracranial hypertension may be unknown. Symptoms associated with intracranial hypertension typically include pulse-synchronous tinnitus (a whooshing or humming sensation in one or both ears in sync with the patient's pulse), vision changes, and headaches that are often excruciating. Patients could also experience pain in the shoulders and limbs, and they may feel nauseous or dizzy. To diagnose this condition, doctors generally perform a spinal tap. Treatment for intracranial hypertension may include medications such as acetazolamide and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and some patients may benefit from surgical options, including different types of shunts and a procedure known as optic nerve fenestration.