Enlarged Condylar Veins as a Source of Pulsatile Tinnitus: Angiographic Features and Confirmation with Venous Balloon Test Occlusion

Numerous processes can cause pulsatile tinnitus (PT), some of which are potentially life threatening. We described a cause of PT, enlarged condylar veins, that has undergone little investigation to date. This report characterized angiographic findings in patients with enlarged condylar veins and the means to localize symptoms to these structures by using dynamic angiography with head positioning and venous balloon test occlusion. This should be considered in patients with PT that would have previously gone undetected.