Is Vertigo And Tinnitus Related To Central Nervous System?

Posted on Thu, 17 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 9 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a female of 69 yrs. have had 5 Lumbar surgeries 5 times over many years. Had Tumor on Spinal Cord @ C 2-3, which was removed in 2002. Diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, had Shunt put in in 2009.I have a constant hissing sound in my head most of the day for a long time, it's continues, and very stressful. I was recently ,this month, diagnosed with MS. Could that be related. I do though have suffered from Vertigo for many years, perhaps 30yrs. Also suffer from Neuropathy. With all that would like to know also if that's related to my central Nervous system. Thank you,XXXX

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: visit ENT Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX I am Dr Mittal I have read your query and I am going to try to help you with your query Spinal cord tumors are frequently known to cause hydrocephalus. So yes surgery for tumors and shunting for hydrocephalus was a great idea. As for vertigo, and tinnitus (the sound in the ear), they could both be either related to the nervous system. However I wont attribute them to MS. I personally think a visit to an ENT surgeon may turn out to be a very good idea. Most of the ENT conditions cause these two symptoms and are usually treatable. There is of course the other possibility of it being your blood pressure. But I am assuming that either you dont have the issue or its well controlled on medicine (otherwise the surgeries would not have been done). So yes, ENT visit may be worth something if it turns out to be a treatable cause Best of luck Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (10 hours later)

Hi, thank you for your response. I forgot to mention in my question that I also have a 2cm Meningioma Tumor on top left of the Meningese lining around my brain discovered on my MRI discovered in 2009. Have had 3 more MRI's since then and has not grown. Could this Hissing also contribute from this Tumor? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: nopes Detailed Answer: I dont think so. Unless it has given rise to a small daughter lesion near ear, or if it has suddenly grown. If its the same size, I dont think that that is the cause

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (4 hours later)

Thank you so much! I appreciate your response.

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: my best wishes Detailed Answer: my best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar