Anomalous jugular bulb causing intractable pulsatile tinnitus: a treatment option

Objective and Importance: An anomalous jugular bulb rarely can cause symptoms like intractable pulsatile tinnitus. However, no satisfactory treatment exists. A treatment option is described here. Patients and Methods: From 1998 to 1999 we managed 3 patients of jugular bulb malformation causing disabling pul-satile tinnitus. All patients were female. Treatment evolved during the period of study and consisted of complete decompression of the bulb transtemporally and isolation from the middle ear. They were followed up for a period of 12 to 20 months. Results: Tinnitus disappeared in all the 3 patients after the surgery. There were no postoperative neurological deficits in any patient. One patient had recurrent tinnitus after an accident but the tinnitus gradually improved. Conclusion: Anomalous jugular bulb can cause disabling tinnitus. The above-mentioned treatment can bring relief. However, more patients and more follow-up are necessary for making this a standard method of treatment.