Thanks @Snapple2020 for providing the link to this paper!
Thanks Jules! I found a new rabbit hole and this one is quite fascinating. I do believe there is something to this for some ES patients. Here is some more:
The omohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles entrapment of the internal jugular vein: Which role in Mèniére disease patients? Treatment perspective description
Authors
The objectives were to analyze the Internal Jugular vein entrapment caused by muscles compression and the possible role and correlation in Mèniére disease. We describe the eco-color Doppler evaluation of a sternocleidomastoid and omohyoid muscles compression of internal jugular vein in a Mèniére patient, responsible of an anomalous venous cerebral and ear outflow. The proposed treatment was a three months muscolar decontractration physiotherapy program. The physiotherapy session allowed a complete muscles relaxation with an improvement of Internal Jugular vein caliber associated to a normalized cerebral and inner ear venous outflow and a progressive attenuation of Mèniére symptoms during the treatment and its disappearance at the end of the physiotherapy program. The comfort of the patient was confirmed during one-year follow-up. Muscles entrapment of Internal Jugular veins may be correlated with an anomalous cerebral and inner ear venous outflow, promoting the Mèniére disease symptoms. Physiotherapy treatment may represent an intriguing option alternatively of muscle surgical. The present case seems to indicate a possible first line treatment by physiotherapy, reserving surgical resection to not responders. Further studies with a wider sample of patients are warranted.
https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/9/1627
Anatomical Reasons for an Impaired Internal Jugular Flow
Super interesting, @Snapple2020! Since my hearing loss has stopped progressing, I believe Dr. Hepworth did a sufficient job with IJV decompression, however, I wonder if there’s also muscular constriction of something in my neck that could still be contributing to my existing hearing loss. It would be interesting to find out where to get “muscular decontractation physical therapy”.
Rabbit holes are definitely keeping you busy! Thank you again… 