Influence of visual and auditory masking on the brain glucose metabolism in an idiopathic tinnitus patient / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of the audio-visual block (AB) on the brain glucose metabolism of idiopathic tinnitus patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The brain positron emission tomography (PET) test was performed on one chronic idiopathic tinnitus patient under audio-visual block and non-block (NB) conditions respectively. The visual analysis and statistical parameter mapping (SPM) analysis were both used to detect the brain glucose metabolism difference under AB and NB conditions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under NB conditions, significant hyperactivity was detected at auditory and visual cortex on both sides of the brain. However, this phenomenon was not shown under AB conditions. Instead, a hyperactivity of brain was presented in the left Wernicke's area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The generation of chronic idiopathic tinnitus probably has no relationship with the auditory cortex abnormity. Wernicke's area might be involved in the central perception of tinnitus.</p>