Pulsatile tinnitus and dural arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

An unusual case of a patient presenting with left sided pulsatile tinnitus is presented. This was later shown to be due to a dural arteriovenous malformation involving the lateral venous sinus. The diagnosis was suspected by the presence of a bruit over the mastoid process and confirmed by a CT scan and angiography. Management involved pre-operative embolisation and neurosurgical excision. The differential diagnosis of pulsatile tinnitus and the management of a dural arterio venous malformation is discussed.