Pulsatile tinnitus and fibromuscular dysplasia of the internal carotid.

Carotid fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD-C), a stenosing angiopathy, is frequently associated with pulsatile tinnitus. This study reports two patients, initially presenting with pulsatile tinnitus, who proved to have FMD-C. Symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, hemicrania, and cervicofacial hypo-esthesia might bring such a patient under an otolaryngologist's management. The paper discusses the physiopathology of the symptoms encountered with FMD-C. It is suggested that the sympathetic plexus is implicated in the manifestations of the disorder. A surgical therapeutic approach is suggested to achieve satisfactory symptomatic control.