Bilateral defects of the tegmen tympani associated with brain and dural prolapse in a patient with pulsatile tinnitus

Abstract

A pulsating ear drum is a rare otological finding and usually indicates a vascular pathology. We report the case of a woman who presented with pulsatile tinnitus following an upper respiratory tract infection. She was found to have bilateral pulsating tympanic membranes on otological examination, in association with bilateral dehiscence of the tegmen tympani and a spontaneous encephalocele on the right side and a meningocele on the left side, demonstrated on computerized tomography (CT) scan of her temporal bones.

Bilateral idiopathic temporal bone meningoencephaloceles - An unusual presentation

“…[ 1 ] They can also present with otorrhea and at times with recurrent meningitis or pulsatile tinnitus. [ 1 5 ] Other less common symptoms are facial nerve weakness and seizures. [ 6 ] These symptoms mimic suppurative otitis media.…”