Microvascular decompression of the eighth cranial nerve for disabling tinnitus without vertigo: a case report.

We report a patient with disabling tinnitus that responded dramatically to microvascular decompression of the 8th cranial nerve. The most annoying, episodic, high pitched tinnitus disappeared immediately after the operation. Two types of constant tinnitus either persisted or recurred after the procedure. Nevertheless, the remaining tinnitus is much reduced compared to the preoperative level. The patient was able to return to his previous work 2 months after operation.