Vertigo (Balance Disorder) and Tinnitus (Ringing in Ears)
The hearing and balance nerves travel together in the space between the brain and skull. Compression of these nerves by blood vessels can result in balance disorders, hearing loss, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Blood-vessel compression of the balance nerves results in vertigo, a syndrome in which patients feel as if they are spinning. This disorder often causes nausea, and is generally worsened by motion. Medications such as Valium or Klonipin may help relieve symptoms. If drugs do not help, vestibular testing can determine which balance nerve is affected. After confirming that blood-vessel compression is indeed the cause of vertigo, microvascular decompression can be an effective treatment.
Collaborating with their ear, nose, and throat colleagues at UPMC, MINC surgeons are learning more about which patients with vertigo and tinnitus are good candidates for microvascular decompression. Currently, patients are selected for surgery based upon a joint recommendation by specialists in both fields, who also work together on the surgery.