Intolerable pulse-synchronous tinnitus caused by occlusion of the contralateral common carotid artery. A successful treatment by aorto-carotid bypass surgery.

A case with severe pulsatile tinnitus of the left side caused by occlusion of the right common carotid artery was reported. Tinnitus in this case was supposed to be due to the rich blood flow of the external carotid systems developed as collateral routes resulting from the occlusion of the right common carotid artery. It subsided with the establishment of a bypass using a vein graft between the ascending aorta and the residual patent portion of the right common carotid artery.