Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by a high riding jugular bulb or prominent diverticulum can negatively impact quality of life. This study evaluates the effectiveness of endovascular treatments, including stenting, coiling, and Woven EndoBridge (WEB; Terumo Neuro, Aliso Viejo, CA) devices, for managing jugular bulb diverticula (JBD)-induced PT.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Embolization appears to be a viable interventional option for jugular bulb diverticula-related pulsatile tinnitus, but the retrospective nature and likely small sample mean audiologists and ENTs should await larger controlled studies before broadly recommending it.
Pulsatile tinnitus from vascular causes is often undertreated; demonstrating a minimally invasive endovascular option could expand the treatment toolkit for a condition that significantly affects quality of life.
- 01Embolization of jugular bulb diverticula was evaluated as a treatment for vascular pulsatile tinnitus.
- 02Target patients had pulsatile tinnitus due to high-riding jugular bulb or jugular bulb diverticulum.
- 03Study design is not stated as RCT — likely retrospective case series given the condition's rarity.
- 04Published in Frontiers in Neurology — peer-reviewed open-access journal.
- 05Effective endovascular management of pulsatile tinnitus remains a niche but growing clinical area.
Embolization of jugular bulb diverticula is effective in managing pulsatile tinnitus caused by high-riding jugular bulb or prominent diverticulum.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42922877
- DOI
- 10.3389/fneur.2026.1951324.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients with pulsatile tinnitus caused by high-riding jugular bulb or jugular bulb diverticulum
- Intervention
- Endovascular embolization of jugular bulb diverticula
Primary outcomes
Resolution or reduction of pulsatile tinnitus symptoms