Surgery of Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Roberto Pareschi; Stefano Righini; Domenico Destito; Aldo Falco Raucci; Stefano Colombo

doi:10.1055/s-2003-43325

Skull Base, Table of Contents

Skull Base 2003; 13(3): 149-158
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-43325

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Surgery of Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Roberto Pareschi¹ , Stefano Righini¹ , Domenico Destito¹ , Aldo Falco Raucci¹ , Stefano Colombo²

¹Unità Operativa Otorinolaringoiatria, Azienda Ospedale Legnano, Legnano, Italy
²Scuola di Specializzazione in ORL-Padova, Castellanza (VA), Italy

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The treatment of choice for glomus jugulare tumors is still controversial. High rates of morbidity, incomplete resection, and the aggressive behavior of these tumors are the main arguments for advocates of primary radiotherapy. However, constant refinements in skull base techniques have made complete resection of these lesions a realistic goal. The high probability of achieving local control of these tumors by surgery has convinced us to support this option strongly. Between 1993 and 2000 we diagnosed 52 glomus tumors of the temporal bone. Of these patients, only 42 had a class C lesion (glomus jugulare) and were included in this study; 37 of these patients underwent surgery, 10 of whom had intracranial extension of the disease. The overall resection rate was 96%. Facial nerve function at 1 year was House-Brackmann grade I to II in 52% of patients and grade III or better in 84% of patients. Hospitalization was shorter than 14 days in 33 patients (89%). All patients with pharyngolaryngeal palsy had sufficient compensation at discharge. Twelve vocal chord Teflon injections were performed after surgery to reduce hoarseness and aspiration. No patient died. No relapse was observed (mean follow-up, 4.9 years).

KEYWORDS

Glomus jugulare tumor - infratemporal approach - pharyngolaryngeal paralysis

Full Text

References

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