Microsurgical treatment for tumors in jugular foramen and its around

Abstract

Objective To explore the micresurgical techniques and outcome of tumors in jugular foramen and its around. Methods Eleven patients with jugular foramen tumors were operated through suboccipital-retrosigmoid approach (2 cases), jugular foramen approach (2 cases), temporal fossa approach (4 cases) and mastoid-cervical combined approach (3 cases). Results Nine tumors were totally removed and 2 were subtotally removed. Of those cases, there were 4 neurinoma, 4 paragangliome, I meningioma, 1 mucochondrosarcoma, and 1 low-differentiated carcinoma. Postoperative complications included transient cerebrespinal fluid leak(1 case) and new lower cranial nerve injury (2 cases). All cases were followed up for mere than 8 months. The postoperative hearing was improved in 1 case, stable in 6 cases, deteriorated in 4 cases. Postoperative facial paralysis of grade Ⅱ- Ⅲ occurred in 3 of 9 patients without facial paralysis, which recovered in half a year. Of 2 patients with facial paralysis before surgery, facial function was improved in 1 case and stable in 1 case. Conclusion Proper surgical approaches and micrceurgical techniques, which were adopted according to the types, the location, and the expansion of tumors, the function of facial nerve and lower cranial nerves, and hearing level, are good for reducing complications, exposing and removing jugular foramen tumors. Key words: Jugular foramen; Skull base tumor; Micresurgery