• Srikanth Boddu, Marc Dinkin, Maria Suurna, Kelly Hannsgen, Xem Bui, and Athos Patsalides.
• Department of Neurological surgery, Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America.
• Plos One. 2016 Jan 1; 11 (10): e0164466.

ObjectiveEvaluate the role of venous sinus stenting in the treatment of pulsatile tinnitus among patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and significant venous sinus stenosis.Subjects And MethodsA written informed consent approved by the Weill Cornell institutional review board was signed and obtained from the study participants. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis who were treated with venous sinus stenting between Jan.2012-Jan.2016 were prospectively evaluated. Patients without pulsatile tinnitus were excluded. Tinnitus severity was categorized based on "Tinnitus Handicap Inventory" (THI) at pre-stent, day-0, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, 18-month and 2-year follow-up. Demographics, body-mass index (BMI), pre and post VSS trans-stenotic pressure gradient were documented. Statistical analysis performed using Pearson's correlation, Chi-square analysis and Fischer's exact test.Results29 patients with a mean age of 29.5±8.5 years M:F = 1:28. Median (mean) THI pre and post stenting were: 4 (3.7) and 1 (1) respectively. Median time of tinnitus resolution post VSS was 0-days. There was significant improvement of THI (Δ Mean: 2.7 THI [95% CI: 2.3-3.1 THI], p<0.001) and transverse-distal sigmoid sinus gradient (Δ Mean: -15.3 mm Hg [95% CI: 12.7-18 mm Hg], p<0.001) post-stenting. Mean follow-up duration of 26.4±9.8 months (3-44 months). VSS was feasible in 100% patients with no procedural complications. Three-patients (10%) had recurrent sinus stenosis and tinnitus at mean follow-up of 12 months (6-30 months).ConclusionVenous sinus stenting is an effective treatment for pulsatile tinnitus in patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis.

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