Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes of Glomus Tumors in the Temporal Bone and Skull Base

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesZZGlomus tumors are benign, slow-growing tumors which cause various symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus and hearing loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestation and surgical outcomes of the glomus tumors in the temporal bone and skull base. Subjects and MethodZZMedical records of 17 patients who were surgically managed for glomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base from 1997 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The location and the size of the tumor were analyzed by CT and MRI, and the Fisch classifica tion method was used to classify the tumor. Pre- and postoperative facial function measured by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and lower cranial nerve (LCN) function were collected. ResultsZZThe mean age of 17 patients was 50.6 (18-83) years, and male to female ratio was 4:13. The most common symptom of glomus tumors was pulsatile tinnitus, and this symptom disappeared or changed naturally postoperatively. The majority of patients with glomus jugulare showed various degrees of immediate postoperative facial nerve palsy, and 8 out of 9 patients showed improvement of facial nerve function to H-B grade I in 3 months. LCN palsy occurred in 5 out of 9 patients immediately following the operation and remained in 3 patients with Fisch type C2 tumor. ConclusionZZGlomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base were successfully removed by surgery. The surgical outcome of glomus jugulare shows that facial nerve function is acceptable and the incidence of lower cranial nerve palsy may be related to the classification of tumor. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2014;57(11):752-8 Key WordsZZFacial nerve ㆍGlomus tumor ㆍLower cranial nerve ㆍSkull base, surgery.