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Have Tinnitus. MRI Showed Large Mastoid Emissary Vein. Which Specialist Should I Consult?
Question: I hear a whooshing in my right ear with movement. I already have tinnitus so I know what that is. I also have hearing loss in the right ear. I've had some tests (MRI, MRV) which show nothing abnormal except a large mastoid emissary vein. This additional whoosh or hiss is induced when I swallow, burp, walk/jog (with each stride). I think it is eustachian related or possibly sinus, which have never really been checked. Doctor thought it was related to that vein, so I agreed to have minimally invasive surgery to occlude the vein. The surgery did not work. Now he is recommending a neuro-interventional vascular specialist. Does this sound logical?
Hello,
Tinnitus has many subjective and objective causes.
Hypertension is also known to cause tinnitus, as you have mentioned that you are mildly hypertensive.
Besides hypertension atherosclerosis, anemia, tumors like glomus tumor, aneurysms and other vascular tumors are also known to cause tinnitus.
The other category, which causes tinnitus, is Eustachian tube defects.
As you have mentioned that tinnitus occurs with swallowing, burping, walking, jogging, etc it seems to be related to the Eustachian tube.
I would suggest you to visit a skilled ENT specialist for complete examination of the middle ear before a neuro-intervention.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to help.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Tinnitus has many subjective and objective causes.
Hypertension is also known to cause tinnitus, as you have mentioned that you are mildly hypertensive.
Besides hypertension atherosclerosis, anemia, tumors like glomus tumor, aneurysms and other vascular tumors are also known to cause tinnitus.
The other category, which causes tinnitus, is Eustachian tube defects.
As you have mentioned that tinnitus occurs with swallowing, burping, walking, jogging, etc it seems to be related to the Eustachian tube.
I would suggest you to visit a skilled ENT specialist for complete examination of the middle ear before a neuro-intervention.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to help.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you. I have had quite a few tests (brain MRI, MRV) which have eliminated any serious causes. I also had a catscan of the ear which showed nothing abnormal; but I have never had anyone really focus on the middle ear, the eustachian tube, nor the sinuses. Do you have any recommendations as to clinics that might specialize in this in the northeast, specifically the Philadelphia or Baltimore area? Or should I just try to find a good local ENT as you mentioned?
Hello and thanks for your query.
You can visit Dr. XXXXXXX T. Sataloff, MD, DMA, 1721 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 0000, Phone: 215-545-3322, Fax: 215-790-1192
OR 219 N. Broad Street, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 0000, Phone: 215-762-5530, Fax: 215-762-5540
However, if it is far to your location, you can visit a local experienced ENT expert.
Take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
You can visit Dr. XXXXXXX T. Sataloff, MD, DMA, 1721 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 0000, Phone: 215-545-3322, Fax: 215-790-1192
OR 219 N. Broad Street, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 0000, Phone: 215-762-5530, Fax: 215-762-5540
However, if it is far to your location, you can visit a local experienced ENT expert.
Take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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. Mohammed Kappan
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