/OBJECTIVES: To critically evaluate the evidence on sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR) for venous pulsatile tinnitus (PT), with emphasis on outcome durability, objective hemodynamic assessment, pressure-associated findings, and safety.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
SSWR appears to be an effective surgical option for venous pulsatile tinnitus in appropriately selected patients; audiologists and ENT teams should be familiar with hemodynamic criteria and post-surgical audiological monitoring needs, though patient selection standards are not yet fully standardised.
Venous pulsatile tinnitus is frequently misdiagnosed or undertreated, and a critical synthesis of SSWR evidence helps define which patients are most likely to benefit and flags where evidence gaps remain.
- 01Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR) is reviewed as a treatment for venous pulsatile tinnitus.
- 02Review critically evaluates surgical outcome data alongside hemodynamic (blood-flow) evidence.
- 03Pressure-related findings around the sigmoid sinus are examined as part of the treatment rationale.
- 04Critical review format means it assesses the quality and limitations of existing studies.
- 05Published in Audiology Research 2026.
Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction is an effective surgical intervention for venous pulsatile tinnitus.
studypartially supportedHemodynamic and pressure-related abnormalities at the sigmoid sinus are causally linked to venous pulsatile tinnitus.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42645117
- DOI
- 10.3390/audiolres16040106.
- Journal
- Audiology Research
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Patients with venous pulsatile tinnitus treated with sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction
- Intervention
- Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR)
Primary outcomes
Surgical outcomes for venous pulsatile tinnitus; Hemodynamic evidence supporting SSWR; Pressure-associated findings