Microsurgical treatment for jugular foramen meningiomas

Abstract

To explore the microsurgical treatment and clinical efficacies of jugular foramen meningiomas. A total of 28 patients with jugular foramen meningiomas undergoing microsurgical operations at Beijing Tiantan Hospital during the period from April 1996 to April 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The retrosigmoid suboccipital (n = 13), far lateral (n = 9), postauricular trans-supracondylar (n = 4) and trans-paracondylar approaches (n = 2) were used. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 18 patients and subtotal tumor resection in 10 patients. Twenty-two patients were followed up for a mean follow-up period of 3 years. The postoperative Karnofsky performance scale was above 80 in 19 patients. Twelve patients experienced hoarseness or bucking, 11 lived independently and 2 died of tumor recurrence. Jugular foramen meningiomas have a higher recurrence rate and severe cranial nerve damages may occur postoperatively. It is important to classify them into different clinical entities and choose appropriate surgical approaches and techniques so as to achieve satisfactory outcomes.