One of the best studies on pulsatile tinnitus. Ever. It's a recent followup (updated in February 2014) to report how dozens of whooshers are doing since undergoing treatment between 2009 and 2012.

In short, they're doing well!  No more whooshing for all 46 of them!

Any patient with a diagnosis who faces proposed treatment, for anything really, should ask:

*How safe is the procedure?

*What are the chances that the procedure will work?

*What is the likelihood that the whooshing will come back later? 

Due to the limited studies of pulsatile tinnitus over time, there's a lot we don't know - and can't know for sure.  That is, until people who have had specific treatment for specific conditions are followed over a period of time.

This Chinese report is a followup to a series of procedures on 46 whooshers who were diagnosed with dural venous sinus stenosis. Each patient complained of "whooshing" (first time I've read that in a medical report!) and underwent an angioplasty or stenting procedure between 2009 and 2012.  All but two had unilateral pulsatile tinnitus - pulsatile tinnitus on one side. The other two experienced pulsatile tinnitus on both sides.  The results of the study, available in the public abstract, speak for themselves:

RESULTS: Pulsatile tinnitus disappeared immediately after the procedure in all 46 cases. There was no procedure-related complication. During the 2 to 36 months' follow-up, there was no recurrence.

Silence!

What's more, with time on its side, the study stresses some general facts, many of which people with pulsatile tinnitus no matter the cause already know: the symptom can be difficult to live with and have a significant negative impact on a person's life. 

Have a doctor who doesn't hear you when you describe the difficulty you have dealing with it?  Maybe that's reason enough to share this study with him or her. 

The study goes on to give us an interesting history lesson.  Did you know that...

... the concept of venous sinus stenosis was first suggested in 1977? Despite the frustration many of us have finding help, a lot has happened since then.  Positive advancements in diagnosis and treatment.  

... unlike other known causes of pulsatile tinnitus, listening to the whooshing with a stethoscope in cases of dural venous sinus stenosis is often not straightforward.  Aha! Our community concurs.  Many whooshers in our community with venous causes have indicated that some doctors can "find the spot" but that others have trouble

There are other neat tidbits: 

*Pulsatile tinnitus can (and did in some of the study's patients) lead to depression an even suicidal thoughts.  

*Treatment of pulsatile tinnitus depends on the identification of the underlying condition.  There's no go-to test, to diagnose, no go-to drug, no go-to procedure.  

*The study cautions against ligation of the jugular vein in cases of pulsatile tinnitus.  

It really is a great report for our community.  A description of successful treatments, proven successful even over time, that includes a historical, methodical analysis of the symptom while  the person. 

Is your doctor taking your case of puslatile tinntius seriously? If not, write down this citation and suggest that s/he has some reading to do.  

Dural venus stenosis is just one possible cause of pulsatile tinnitus. For more causes see the Cured Whooshers page.

And if any of the Chinese doctors are reading this, please be in touch!  Our community is grateful for your work. 

Source: "Angioplasty and Stenting for Intractable Pulsatile Tinnitus Caused by Dural Venous Sinus Stenosis: A Case Series Report," Baomin L, Yongbing S, Xiangyu., Otology & Neurotology, Vol. 35, No. 2, 366-70, 2014.