Now Reading: Kolkata girl’s ear ringing leads to brain vein surgery
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Kolkata girl’s ear ringing leads to brain vein surgery
An 11-year-old girl from Kolkata has undergone emergency surgery after months of suffering from a persistent pulsating noise in her right ear. The sound, which began in July 2024, was initially attributed to stress by doctors, but further evaluation at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) revealed a vascular cause.
An MRI venogram showed narrowing of the transverse venous sinus, a condition linked to unilateral pulsatile tinnitus. The tinnitus disappeared when the jugular vein was compressed, prompting investigation. The girl underwent venous sinus stenting to correct the narrowing, performed by Dr NVK Mohan and Dr Deep Das.
After the operation, the patient reported the sound had stopped and she felt normal again. Doctors said the case highlights the importance of evaluating one-sided pulsatile tinnitus for underlying vascular problems.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Unilateral pulsatile tinnitus is rare in children and often misdiagnosed as anxiety or stress. The transverse venous sinus narrowing found here is a treatable structural cause. Venous sinus stenting is a minimally invasive procedure, but availability is limited to specialised centres. The key diagnostic clue, tinnitus stopping on jugular compression, is a simple bedside test any ENT surgeon can perform. For parents of children with unexplained one-sided ear noises, this case underscores that persistent symptoms warrant vascular imaging. The next step for the patient is follow-up imaging to confirm stent patency.
Source: livemint.com
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