OBJECTIVE TINNITUS RESULTING FROM INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY STENOSIS

Objective tinnitus represents sound wave energy that, by definition, m ay be heard or recorded by an examiner. It may occur as a result of ei ther muscular contraction or turbulent blood flow. We report two cases of vascular objective tinnitus resulting from internal carotid artery stenosis. The first patient, a 74-year-old man, underwent ligation of the right internal carotid artery because of the distal extent of ath erosclerosis. The second patient, a 75-year-old man, underwent a right carotid endarterectomy. Both patients noted complete relief of their tinnitus. The spectrum of vascular causes and treatment options are re viewed.