Incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with tinnitus

Introduction: Tinnitus is a sound in one ear or both ears, such as buzzing, ringing, or whistling, occurring without an external stimulus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established, cost-effective investigation for the patients with tinnitus. Aim: The purpose of the study was to define the frequency of incidental findings on MRI scans, of patients with a history of tinnitus but with normal clinical examination, audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. Materials and Methods: A total of 62 patients were enrolled for the present study with a history of gradually increasing tinnitus and normal clinical ENT examination. All these patients underwent MRI scan to find out any lesion that would cause tinnitus. Results and Conclusion: In the present study, evaluation of MRI scans of 62 patients with gradually increasing tinnitus was done, with ipsilateral vestibular schwannoma and neurofibromatosis II being diagnosed in 1 patient (1.61%) each. Incidental findings were demonstrated in 26 cases (41.93%); with 8 cases (12.90%) of white matter lesions, 5 cases (8.66%) of vascular anomalies, 3 cases (4.83%) of arachnoid cyst, 2 cases (3.22%) of empty sella, 4 cases (6.45%) of sinus involvement, 2 cases (3.22%) of cerebral atrophy and 2 cases (3.22%) of vascular infarcts, though none of these findings were serious and neither warranted an urgent surgical intervention but a few cases required assessment by other specialties and were referred accordingly.