DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IM AGING (MRI) IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANAGEMENT OF PULSATILE TINNITUS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of modern i maging tools in pulsatile tinnitus, which might be apparent in a varie ty of different diseases. While computed tomography (CT) and digital s ubtraction angiography (DSA) have been the methods of choice in the di agnostic management of this symptom and its related diseases, the tech nical progress in the development of MRI and MRA highly recommends the se techniques as additional yet sufficient imaging tools. The authors demonstrate 2 representative cases of pulsatile tinnitus (one patient with glomus tumour, one patient with jugular bulb deformity) and the a dequate diagnostic procedure in terms of imaging tools. It is conclude d that a routine MRI-examination might allow a diagnosis with high sen sitivity and specifity. Still, digital subtraction angiography and com puted tomography remain indispensable in the diagnostic management of pulsatile tinnitus.