Vascular decompression of the cochlear nerve in tinnitus sufferers

W. L. Meyerhoff, B. E. Mickey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

An estimated 40 million Americans suffer from tinnitus, and approximately 20% of these sufferers feel that the quality of their life is significantly impaired by this symptom. Despite thorough evaluation, the underlying etiology in the majority of these patients remains obscure or conjectural. Most of these patients will, however, benefit from consultation and avoidance of caffeine, nicotine, and salt, while others require biofeedback, amplification, masking, and even psychotherapy. On rare occasions, physicians are presented with a patient complaining of unilateral tinnitus of undetermined etiology who, in spite of a thorough evaluation and all conventional therapies, continues to be severely handicapped by that symptom. Early findings suggest that these patients may be suffering from vascular loop compression of the cochlear division of the eighth cranial nerve. When patients are carefully selected, retrosigmoid decompression of that vascular loop has provided gratifying relief.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)602-604
Number of pages3
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume98
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Vascular decompression of the cochlear nerve in tinnitus sufferers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this