The International Tinnitus Journal

Can Pupillometry Help to Choose the Right Nerve for Tinnitus Reduction?

Henk M. Koning

Introduction: Tinnitus patients may suffer from autonomic symptoms, which can be measured with pupillometry. Objectives: This study was intended to assess the impact of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation of cervical and cranial nerves (i.e. C2 nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, facial nerve and vagal nerve) on pupillometry measures in tinnitus patients. Design: A monocenter backward-looking group study. Results: The pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) with 42 volts of various cervical and cranial nerves gave in 40-60% of the patients a reduction of tinnitus with a 0-6% chance on side-effects. Postoperative basal pupil diameter, maximum constriction amplitude, and maximum constriction velocity were statistically significant between the various treatments. PRF of the trigeminocervical nerves had little parasympathetic and sympathetic effects in contrast to the impairment of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system induced by PRF of the facial and vagal nerves. Conclusions: The results of PRF with 42 volts of various cervical and cranial nerves on tinnitus were not related to postoperative parasympathetic measurements.