Pulsatile tinnitus from reversal of flow in an aberrant occipital artery: resolved after carotid artery stenting.
Carotid artery stent placement, performed for correction of an asymptomatic severe stenosis, leads to the resolution of persistent and troublesome pulsatile tinnitus. Tinnitus has been reported as a consequence of severe carotid stenoses on previous occasions. This case highlights how an aberrant occipital artery originating above a carotid artery stenosis can result in flow reversal and be a mechanism by which tinnitus may develop.
Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroradiology and Interventional Services of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner and Royal Perth Hospitals, Perth, WA, Australia. pedrocowley@gmail.com
P O
PO
Cowley
R
R
Jones
P
P
Tuch
W
W
McAuliffe
D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*