Unilateral Rhythmic Tinnitus: Phlebectasia of Internal Jugular Vein – A Rare Cause

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source which can be caused by various underlying conditions, including hearing loss, circulatory system disorders, ear injury, or exposure to loud noise. Tinnitus caused by internal jugular phlebectasia (IJP), abnormal fusiform dilatation of the vein, is rare. We report the case of a 36-year-old female diagnosed with IJP, whose major complaint was bothersome rhythmic tinnitus in the right ear. She had no swelling in the neck, and her otological examination and hearing were normal. The IJP was identified on a computed tomography scan of the neck following unremarkable blood tests, including a full blood count and thyroid function tests, which did not indicate any other potential causes for her tinnitus. The patient opted for conservative treatment, in the absence of serious vascular complication. IJP should not be overlooked or misdiagnosed when investigating the cause of pulsatile tinnitus.