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Chronic Ringing In Ears With Pressure, Pain, Neck Tenderness. Tests Showed Retention Cyst. Could That Be A Cause?
Question: For nearly a year I have had increasing trouble with ringing in my right ear, ear pressure, ear pain and neck tenderness. I have been in several times to an ENT to be told that tinnitus is very common and there isn't much that can be done. After increasing complaints, in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms they installed an ear tube even though I don't have eustachian tube dysfunction. The symptoms increased terribly and the tube was removed. After that, the ringing remained but in addition I started having a swooshing sound that seems to be synced with my heartbeat. After a few debilitating headaches I was referred to a neurologist and an MRI of the brain was ordered, but I don't think it included my neck. There were no findings except: "Small polypoidal density noted in the right maxillary antrum question retention cyst XXXXXXX Could a retention cyst be causing these symptoms? I have never had any sinus issues ever. I am not sure if it is worth noting or not, but a year ago I fell off a porch and luckily I fell onto a tree that hung me up, but my the back of my head did hit a rock and I had a concussion. Also about 2 years ago while riding my bike I suffered a blowout fracture of my right orbit, near the inside corning of my eye pushing the bone into my sinuses.
Hello XXXXXXX,
Thankyou for writing to XXXXXXX
After reading your query I can conclude that you have two issues.
Both can be interrelated
Ear symptoms can be because of recurrent episodes of fluid getting filled in middle ear. That is why your ENT specialist has installed a tube in your ear drum. It can be related to the infection in sinuses that is why you are getting a retention cyst in right maxillary antrum.
All these findings may NOT be interrelated.
You had an MRI which was normal in relation to brain.That is good.
What you should do--
Get done a Pure tone Audiometry (hearing test) and Impedence audiometry to rule out fluid behind ear drum, Hearing loss(as age related hearing loss is one of the reason for hearing abnormal sounds or tinnitus).
If there is hearing loss then few more tests can be done and cause of tinnitus can be looked for .
Next you need to get done a CT scan Nose and Paranasal sinus to see the sinus disease and rule out Imploding antrum which could occur because of the trauma and as you said ---"inside corning of my eye pushing the bone into my sinuses".
But this imploding antrum does not usually cause ear problems.
Do consult an ENT specialist and get yourself investigated.
Till then you can start with Decongestant Nose drops and Antihistaminics and decongestant tablets after consulting with your ENT specialist , but do get your blood pressure checked.
To prevent worsening of tinnitus --
Avoid listening to loud music
Avoid places with loud noise
AVOID SMOKING / TOBACCO CHEWING
Do not blow your nose hard specially during cold
Do not put oil in ears or do not try to clean your ears with pins ,or sharp objects.
Avoid eating ice creams
Avoid some medicines like salicylates,Aspirin ,Quinine,Erythromycin etc
Get your Blood pressure checked and if high take appropriate medicines
Get your Blood sugars checked
You can report back after investigations
Get well soon
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Thankyou for writing to XXXXXXX
After reading your query I can conclude that you have two issues.
Both can be interrelated
Ear symptoms can be because of recurrent episodes of fluid getting filled in middle ear. That is why your ENT specialist has installed a tube in your ear drum. It can be related to the infection in sinuses that is why you are getting a retention cyst in right maxillary antrum.
All these findings may NOT be interrelated.
You had an MRI which was normal in relation to brain.That is good.
What you should do--
Get done a Pure tone Audiometry (hearing test) and Impedence audiometry to rule out fluid behind ear drum, Hearing loss(as age related hearing loss is one of the reason for hearing abnormal sounds or tinnitus).
If there is hearing loss then few more tests can be done and cause of tinnitus can be looked for .
Next you need to get done a CT scan Nose and Paranasal sinus to see the sinus disease and rule out Imploding antrum which could occur because of the trauma and as you said ---"inside corning of my eye pushing the bone into my sinuses".
But this imploding antrum does not usually cause ear problems.
Do consult an ENT specialist and get yourself investigated.
Till then you can start with Decongestant Nose drops and Antihistaminics and decongestant tablets after consulting with your ENT specialist , but do get your blood pressure checked.
To prevent worsening of tinnitus --
Avoid listening to loud music
Avoid places with loud noise
AVOID SMOKING / TOBACCO CHEWING
Do not blow your nose hard specially during cold
Do not put oil in ears or do not try to clean your ears with pins ,or sharp objects.
Avoid eating ice creams
Avoid some medicines like salicylates,Aspirin ,Quinine,Erythromycin etc
Get your Blood pressure checked and if high take appropriate medicines
Get your Blood sugars checked
You can report back after investigations
Get well soon
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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