About Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Expertise I am a board-certified otolaryngologist with additional subspecialty training in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. This is the subspecialty of otolaryngology that involves the ear, hearing, balance organs, the facial nerve, and surgery of the skull base including surgery for acoustic neuroma and other benign and malignant tumors of the base of the skull.
Experience Medical school, residency in otolaryngology, fellowship in otology/neurotology/skull base surgery
Organizations American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery North American Skull Base Society American Neurotology Society
Publications Laryngoscope Otology and Neurotology
Education/Credentials MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 2001 Otolaryngology Residency, University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Iowa City, IA Otology/Neurotology Fellowship, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Expert: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Date: 1/2/2008 Subject: pulsatile tinnitus
Question QUESTION: I have had pulsatile wooshing sound in my right ear for 4 days. Also a sensation of fullness. I also hear wooshing when I move my head suddenly. What is this likely to be due to ?
ANSWER: This can be due to a variety of causes, one being fluid behind the eardrum. If it doesn't resolve, you need a full ear exam and a hearing test.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
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QUESTION: I have been to see ENT surgeon - normal examination. had an MRI which was normal but tinnitus persists - now approx 3 wks. Also had audiology which was normal. What should I do now?
Answer Was your audiogram normal? The ENT did not see any fluid behind your eardrum?
If your exam was normal, the next typical step in the evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus would be an MR Angiogram/MR venogram (special MRI sequence to evaluate for abnormal blood vessel connections around the ear).
Can you make the tinnitus go away by pushing on that side of your neck? Sometimes pulsatile tinnitus is from a dominant jugular vein, and jugular vein compression will make it go away.
