11-Year-Old Kolkata Girl Heard 24-Hour Sound in Ear for Months, MRI Revealed Rare Brain Vein Problem

An 11-year-old Kolkata girl’s constant ear throbbing sound was diagnosed as pulsatile tinnitus caused by brain vein narrowing. Doctors treated her successfully

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 22 August 2026, 12:33 AM IST

Kolkata girl medical case (Img: Google)

Kolkata: An 11-year-old girl from Kolkata, who had been struggling with a continuous throbbing sound in her right ear for nearly a year, has finally found relief after doctors diagnosed and treated a rare vascular condition.

The girl had been experiencing a 24-hour rhythmic sound in her ear since July 2024. Despite consulting multiple doctors, the problem continued, and it was initially linked to stress or psychological factors.

However, a detailed medical examination at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute revealed the actual cause behind the unusual symptom.

MRI Scan Revealed Narrowing of Brain Vein

Doctors diagnosed the case as unilateral pulsatile tinnitus, a condition in which a person hears a rhythmic or heartbeat-like sound in one ear. An MRI venogram showed narrowing of the transverse venous sinus, a major vein involved in draining blood from the brain.

Doctors suspected that the sound was caused by a vascular abnormality. A key observation helped confirm their suspicion — the sound disappeared when pressure was applied to the jugular vein.

This indicated that the problem could be related to blood flow changes rather than a routine ear-related issue.

Sound Became Worse When She Was Alone

The girl reportedly said that the sound was always present but became less noticeable in crowded places or noisy surroundings. However, when she was alone or focused on activities, the constant throbbing noise became extremely disturbing.

Several medicines and treatments provided temporary relief, but the sound returned repeatedly.

Surgery Helped Restore Normal Life

After identifying the narrowed vein, doctors performed venous sinus stenting, a procedure used to widen the affected blood vessel and improve blood flow. Following the procedure, the girl reported that the constant sound had completely disappeared and she was able to return to a normal routine.

Doctors highlighted that persistent heartbeat-like sounds in one ear should not always be dismissed as stress. Such symptoms may require neurological and vascular evaluation, especially when they reduce after pressure on the jugular vein.