Facial Transposition Research Articles

Analysis of the effect of different facial nerve managements applied to tumor resection in the jugular foramen region

Objective:To summarize the results of different facial nerve management modalities applied to tumor resection in the jugular foramen region. Methods:The clinical data of 54 patients with tumors in the jugular foramen region who underwent surgery from January 2015 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed: 18 males and 36 females; Age ranges from 21 to 67 years, with an average age of 44.4 years; and median follow-up time: 12 months. The House-Brackmann（HB） grading system was applied to assess the patients' facial nerve function before surgery, 1-2 weeks after surgery and at the final follow-up （HBⅠ-Ⅱ grade for good function）: 42 cases with preoperative HB grades Ⅰ-Ⅱ; partial facial nerve transposition（9 cases）, complete facial nerve transposition（28 cases）, and facial nerve excision and re-construction（17 cases） were used, respectively（stage Ⅰor Ⅱ）. Relevant factors affecting postoperative facial nerve function were analyzed. Results:Postoperative pathology confirmed 39 cases of paraganglioma, 9 cases of nerve sheath tumor, 3 cases of meningioma, and 1 case each of fibromucinous sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and intravascular myofibroma. Facial nerve function after partial facial nerve transposition was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 89%（8/9）; after complete facial nerve transposition was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 86%（24/28） in 28 cases; after facial nerve severance and reconstruction was HB grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ in 2/7（Stage Ⅰ） and 0/3（Stage Ⅱ）, respectively. Tumor size and surgical approach were correlated with postoperative facial nerve function in patients with facial nerve transposition（P<0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in facial nerve function after complete and partial facial nerve transposition（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Intraoperative stretching of the facial nerve may be an important factor affecting facial nerve function during surgical treatment of tumors in the jugular venous foramen region; for patients with facial nerve dissection, facial nerve reconstruction should be adopted according to the situation, aiming at the recovery of facial nerve function.

Postoperative effect analysis of different surgical techniques used in facial nerve reconstruction

Objective:To investigate the factors and efficacy of different surgical techniques used in facial nerve（FN） reconstruction. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 patients who underwent facial nerve reconstruction surgery in our department from January 2016 to January 2021. The duration of total facial nerve paralysis was less than 18 months. The study included 5 surgical techniques, including 6 cases of FN anastomosis（Group A）, 5 cases of FN grafting（sural nerve or great auricular nerve）（Group B）, 5 cases of side-to-end facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis（Group C）, 4 cases of side-to-end FN grafting（sural nerve or great auricular nerve） hypoglossal nerve anastomosis（Group D）, and 4 cases of dual nerve reanimation（Group E）. The postoperative follow-up period was ≥1 year. Results:The HB-Ⅲ level of FN function at 1 year after surgery was 83.3%（5/6） in group A, 60.0%（3/5） in group B, 40.0%（2/5） in group C, 25.0%（1/4） in group D, and 50.0%（2/4） in group E. In patients without multiple FN repair, the incidence of synkinesis was 15.0%（3/20）, while no cases of synkinesis were observed in patients with dual nerve reanimation. The patients who underwent hypoglossal-facial side-to-end anastomosis showed no hypoglossal nerve dysfunction. Conclusion:Different FN repair techniques result in varying postoperative FN function recovery, as personalized repair should be managed. Among the various techniques, FN end-to-end anastomosis after FN transposition is recommended as to reduce the number of anastomotic stoma, while hypoglossal-facial side-to-end anastomosis is advocated as to prevent postoperative hypoglossal nerve dysfunction. Additionally, dual nerve repair can effectively improve smile symmetry and reduce synkinesis, which enhances patients' quality.

Combined microscope–endoscopy resection of petrous bone cholesteatoma with temporary facial nerve transposition versus nontransposition

PurposeThe narrow supralabyrinthine space affects surgical procedures. To study the effect of temporary transposition of geniculate ganglion of facial nerve versus nontransposition on lesion recurrence and facial nerve function in patients with petrous bone cholesteatoma.MethodsA total of 18 patients with petrous bone cholesteatoma involving the facial nerve were treated in our hospital from November 2016 to March 2023. The main surgical method is the extended supralabyrinthine approach assisted by a microscope and an endoscope. We collected and retrospectively analyzed their medical records.ResultsTemporary facial nerve transposition was performed in five patients, and nontransposition was performed in 13 patients. Cholesteatoma recurred in three patients with facial nerve nontransposition, whereas none in patients with facial nerve transposition. In this study, except for one case with a second operation, postoperative facial paralysis in other cases was improved to varying degrees, and there was no significant difference between the two groups.ConclusionTemporary transposition of geniculate ganglion of facial nerve will not affect the postoperative nerve function of patients and can reduce the possibility of cholesteatoma recurrence of the petrous bone.

Anatomic Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Infratemporal Fossa Approach to the Jugular Foramen.

The infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a complex region bounded by the temporal bone, maxilla, sphenoid, pterygoid plates, and mandibular ramus. Containing a high density of neurovascular and musculoskeletal structures, the ITF can house a number of pathologies, and access is challenging. The ITF approach and its variations can be challenging due to complex anatomy and unfamiliarity by many surgeons. The objective of this study was to present a step-by-step 3-dimensional anatomic dissection for the classic Fisch Type A and modified ITF approach from the surgeon's perspective. Six sides of 3 formalin-fixed latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification (JRD and AMN). Standard Fisch Type A and modified ITF approaches were performed on contralateral sides of each specimen. Representative high-quality 3-dimensional photography was performed for each key step. The ITF approach affords excellent access to the posterior ITF and jugular foramen. Modifications to this approach include preservation of the ear canal and limiting facial nerve transposition, thus limiting morbidity while generally still providing sufficient access to key anatomic structures. The ITF approach provides access to the lateral skull base for jugular foramen paraganglioma and other lesions. Modifications of the classic Fisch Type A technique can be used to access pathologies in this region without sacrificing conductive hearing or facial nerve function. Three dimensional operatively oriented neuroanatomy dissections provide surgeons with a valuable resource for learning this complex surgical approach.

Surgical management of embolized jugular foramen paragangliomas without facial nerve transposition: Experience of a public tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Background: Jugular foramen paragangliomas (JFP) treatment represents a challenge for surgeons due to its close relationship with facial nerve (FN), lower cranial nerves (LCN), and internal carotid artery. Due to its hypervascularization, preoperative tumor embolization has been indicated.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical evolution of 26 patients with JFP class C/D previously embolized treated through infratemporal/cervical access without FN transposition.Results: Total and subtotal resections were 50% each, regrowth/recurrence were 25%, and 23%, respectively, and mortality was 3.9%. Postoperatively, 68.4% of patients had FN House and Brackmann (HB) Grades I/II. New FN deficits were 15.4% post embolization and 30.7% postoperatively. Previous FN deficits worsened in 46.1%. Tumor involved the FN in 30.8% and in 62.5% of them these nerves were resected and grafted (60% of them had HB III). Lateral fall, ear murmur, and vertigo improved in all patients. Tinnitus improved in 77.8% and one patient developed tinnitus after surgery. Hearing loss did not improve, eight partial hearing loss remained unchanged and four worsened. New postoperative LCN deficits were 64.3%. Postoperative KPS between 80 and 100 dropped 8.3%. Two patients with secretory paragangliomas with arterial hypertension difficult to control had better postoperative blood pressure control.Conclusion: Although still with significant morbidity due to FN and LCN injuries, the treatment of patients with JFP Fisch C/D has good long-term results. Surgical techniques without FN transposition have less intraoperative nerve damage, lower rates of total resection, and higher recurrence. Preoperative embolization of JFP reduces the intraoperative blood loss but can cause FN deficit.

Comparison of Endoscopic Endonasal Approach and Lateral Microsurgical Infratemporal Fossa Approach to the Jugular Foramen: An Anatomical Study.

Objective The jugular foramen is one of the most challenging surgical regions in skull base surgery. With the development of endoscopic techniques, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been undertaken to treat some lesions in this area independently or combined with open approaches. The purpose of the current study is to describe the anatomical steps and landmarks for the EEA to the jugular foramen and to compare it with the degree of exposure obtained with the lateral infratemporal fossa approach. Materials and Methods A total of 15 osseous structures related to the jugular foramen were measured in 33 adult dry skulls. Three silicone-injected adult cadaveric heads (six sides) were dissected for EEA and three heads (six sides) were used for a lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A). The jugular foramen was exposed, relevant landmarks were demonstrated, and the distances between relevant landmarks and the jugular foramen were obtained. High-quality pictures were obtained. Results The jugular foramen was accessed in all dissections by using either approach. Important anatomical landmarks for EEA include internal carotid artery (ICA), petroclival fissure, inferior petrosal sinus, jugular tubercle, and hypoglossal canal. The EEA exposed the anterior and medial parts of the jugular foramen, while the lateral infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A) exposed the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. With EEA, dissection and transposition of the facial nerve was avoided, but the upper parapharyngeal and paraclival ICA may need to be mobilized to adequately expose the jugular foramen. Conclusion The EEA to the jugular foramen is anatomically feasible but requires mobilization of the ICA to provide access to the anterior and medial aspects of the jugular foramen. The lateral infratemporal approach requires facial nerve transposition to provide access to the lateral and posterior parts of the jugular foramen. A deep understanding of the complex anatomy of this region is paramount for safe and effective surgery of the jugular foramen. Both techniques may be complementary considering the different regions of the jugular foramen accessed with each approach.

Microsurgical Resection of a Large Dumbbell-Shaped Jugular Foramen Schwannoma via Infralabyrinthine, Retrofacial, and Transjugular Approach.

Surgical removal of large jugular foramen schwannomas with intra- and extracranial extension is challenging. The treatment goal is a gross total resection of the tumor without causing surgical complications, including facial nerve paresis, hearing disturbance, dysphagia, hoarseness, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, in addition to the brain stem injury.We present a surgical video in a patient with a dumbbell-shaped glossopharyngeal schwannoma. The combination of posterior fossa craniotomy, mastoidectomy, and unroofing of the jugular foramen with high cervical exposure was selected. Although transposition of the mastoid segment of the facial nerve provides an excellent surgical corridor, it may affect normal facial nerve function. Sufficient drilling of the infralabyrinthine, retrofacial area of the mastoid without facial nerve transposition is important for the safe gross total removal of the tumor. Subcapsular removal behind the jugular vein is also important for preservation of the lower cranial nerve functions. The patient underwent a gross total removal of the tumor ( Figs. 1 and 2 ). Facial nerve function was preserved and hearing disturbance improved. Although dysphagia and hoarseness complicated postoperatively, he became able to take foods orally 16 days after the surgery. In summary, successful removal of a large dumbbell-shaped jugular foramen tumor can be completed via infralabyrinthine, retrofacial, and transjugular approach without facial nerve transposition. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/U4CwOW78id4 .

Grading system and surgical approaches for endolymphatic sac tumors.

Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are rare, low-grade adenocarcinomas arising from the endolymphatic sac. This study aims to present a novel grading system for ELSTs to determine the optimal management strategy. We performed a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with 17 ELSTs. The tumor location and involved adjacent neurovascular structures on CT and MRI were selected to establish the grading system. Based on the novel grading system, grade III a tumors were most common (7/17), followed by grade I (4/17), grade II (3/17), and grade III b (3/17) tumors. Eight advanced ELSTs (grade III a and III b) received an infra-temporal fossa approach, while the other 6 early stage ELSTs (grade I and II) underwent either a retrolabyrinthine approach with posterior petrosectomy or a translabyrinthine approach combined with subtotal temporal bone resection. Hearing preservation was achieved in 2 grade I patients. Postoperative facial nerve function was HB II in 1 grade III a patient who underwent anterior facial nerve transposition and was HB III in 4 advanced patients who received facial nerve grafts with the great auricular nerve or facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis. The mean follow-up time was 35.1months. Two grade III patients and 1 grade II patient had tumor recurrence during follow-up, among whom 1 grade III b patient had two cases of recurrence. A correct initial diagnosis was established in all patients after meticulous imaging studies. Surgical resection is still the first choice to manage patients with ELSTs. The novel grading system enables surgeons to select tailored surgical approaches. Long-term follow-up is necessary following surgical intervention.

Infratemporal approach with anterior transposition of facial nerve in paraganglioma surgery

Abstract Introduction The treatment of glomus jugulare tumors can be extremely challenging. In certain patients, residual tumor is left at surgery to prevent devastating lower cranial nerve deficits or to reduce potential morbidity associated with carotid artery injury. The interest of this article is to demonstrate the importance of anterior transposition of the facial nerve in the approach of the jugular paraganglioma and to analyze the surgical technique, complications, and outcomes. Methods We retrospectively studied 07 patients with jugular paragangliomas treated between January 2010 and December 2016 at Ali Ait Idir University Hospital in Algiers, Algeria. All patients were operated by the infratemporal fossa approaches type A (Fisch) [13]. We have developed for better exposed jugular golf the anterior transposition of the facial nerve. Preoperative embolization was performed for all patients. Results Total removal was possible in 04 patients. The most frequent and also the most dangerous surgical complication was lower cranial nerve deficit. This deficit occurred in 02 patients, but it was transient in one cases. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage remains a potentially fatal complication. In our study two patients developed CSF leaks and were treated conservatively with iterative lumbar punctures. Transposition of a normal facial nerve usually causes moderate postoperative paresis that may improve partially within 3 to 6 months. Conclusion Radical resection of jugular paragangliomas is difficult, and infratemporale approach (Fisch type A) with anterior transposition of facial nerve offer the best chance of total removal with preservation of facial and lower cranial nerves.

Preservation of the facial and lower cranial nerves in glomus jugulare tumor surgery: modifying our surgical technique for improved outcomes.

To describe the neurological results obtained in six patients with large Fisch C glomus jugulare tumors (GJT) in which a less aggressive, nerve-preserving surgical strategy was used to reduce surgical morbidity. Prospective study of six patients with Fisch C GJT who underwent surgery in a tertiary care referral center from February 2015 to August 2017 with an average follow-up of 18 months. The intervention is the surgical technique used and the main outcome measures are recurrence and the functional preservation of the facial and lower cranial nerves. Gross total removal was obtained in the six patients with preservation of the medial wall of the jugular bulb protecting the lower cranial nerves. After follow-up, we obtained a House-Brackmann (H-B) grade II in three patients who were managed with an inferior facial nerve transposition. One patient managed with a facial bridge technique preserved a normal facial function and two patients who presented a H-B III before surgery went to H-B V after surgery and recovered to a H-B III after 4 months. Four patients were presented with dysphagia after surgery and required nasogastric tube placement. The average time for removal with return to normal oral feeding was 4.3 weeks. Three patients with preoperative Xth nerve dysfunction showed an adequate compensation of the opposite vocal fold in the postoperative period without dysphonia or aspiration. The surgical techniques used in these patients provided good functional preservation without recurrence after an 8-30-month follow-up.

Direct Approach for Jugular Paraganglioma by Enlarged Mastoidectomy and Hypotympanotomy without Middle Ear Obliteration

Objective: Surgical approach for jugular paraganglioma (JP) remained challenging surgical problem. Those approaches were well codified by U. Fisch (otolaryngologic approach) and B. George (neurosurgical approach). Both approaches were based on different surgical philosophy and both were effective but complicated. The main problem for Fisch type approaches were facial nerve transposition and obliteration of middle ear spaces. Authors presented their own modification of Fisch approach with rare necessity of middle ear obliteration and low percentage of facial nerve transposition and no dissection of vascular structures in the neck.

Transcochlear Approach to Resection of Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: Patient Selection, Surgical Technique, and Outcomes

Background: The transcochlear approach extends the anterior exposure afforded by the translabyrinthine technique. Although this wider exposure allows improved access to cranial nerves and the brainstem with less retraction on the cerebellum, the classical description involving facial nerve transposition often results in permanent facial paresis. This study discusses the role of the transcochlear approach in resection of cerebellopontine angle tumors including patient selection, surgical technique, and outcomes.

Far lateral approach: Is condylar resection required?

We report our experience with the far lateral approach (FLA) and its modifications in the surgical resection of tumors of craniocervical junction (CCJ). We retrospectively reviewed data of 36 patients with CCJ lesions who underwent surgical excision. Data are presented as frequency/percentages. Tumor locations were classified by anatomical relation around the CCJ (on axial plane). For anterior and laterally placed tumors, we preferred the FLA and its modification. A postoperative complication was defined as a new neurological deficit without subsequent recovery. The perioperative mortality was defined as death within 30 days of surgery. The mean age of the study population was 48.8 years (5-64 years) with 15 women. Simpson's Scale Grade 2 resection was achieved in 18 out of 19 patients with meningiomas. Overall, transient complications were observed in eight patients (22%); none of the patients developed postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistula. The permanent morbidity rate was 5.6%. One patient died on the 6th postoperative day. The mean follow-up period was 4.1 years (range, 3 months-12 years). Tumor recurrence was observed in two patients who were advised radiotherapy. Twenty patients (96%) were independent for activities of daily living. The FLA is a versatile approach and is useful for a variety of lesions located ventrolateral to the brainstem and upper cervical cord. It allows adequate exposure with minimal retraction. Most of the foramen magnum meningiomas can be excised either without or with only partial resection of the condyle. The transjugular process approach to the jugular foramen (JF) is effective for JF tumors without the necessity of facial nerve transposition.

Surgical approaches to jugular foramen schwannomas: An anatomic study.

The variety of surgical approaches to jugular schwannomas makes selection of an approach difficult. The purpose of this study was to define the anatomic elements of these approaches. Ten adult cadaveric heads were examined. There are lateral, posterior, and anterior routes that access various parts of the jugular foramen. Removal of the jugular process of the occipital bone provides access to the posterior aspect of the foramen, the infralabyrinthine mastoidectomy provides access to the lateral edge and dome of the jugular bulb, and the preauricular approaches provide access to the anterior margin of the bulb and foramen. Additions to these approaches may include cervical and vertebral artery exposure, facial nerve transposition, foramen magnum exposure, and external canal and condylar resection. An understanding of the anatomy of the jugular foramen is crucial in achieving total tumor removal while minimizing risk. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1041-E1053, 2016.

Comparative results of infratemporal fossa approach with or without facial nerve rerouting in jugular fossa tumors

Jugular fossa tumors are uncommon diseases. During the surgery and due to the interposition of the facial nerve in the tumor approach, the facial nerve must be elevated from the fallopian canal and placed permanently into an anterior position. Although this maneuver provides a wide exposure, most of the patients suffer a long-term total or partial facial palsy. The purpose of this article is to check whether the infratemporal fossa approach without transposition of the facial nerve is equivalent to the approach with rerouting of the facial nerve regarding postsurgical morbidity. The clinical records of 52 patients who underwent an infratemporal fossa approach were reviewed in which 34 patients were segregated into two comparable groups regarding the presence or absence of transposition of the facial nerve. There were 19 women and 15 males. The majority of the patients (73%) had jugular paragangliomas. The mean follow-up of the full series was 66 months. It was statistically significant that the worst facial nerve function at hospital discharge was in the patients who underwent facial nerve transposition (p = 0.001). Equally the facial nerve function in the no-rerouting group 1 year after the surgery was significantly much better than in the rerouting group (p = 0.003). Regarding to survival, recurrence or complications no significant differences were observed between both groups. Our study suggests that most of cases avoiding facial nerve transposition allow significant better functional results thereof without affecting other parameters such as recurrence, complications or survival.

Endoscopic approach to the infratemporal fossa

The infratemporal fossa is a deeply situated region that can give rise to a range of benign and malignant tumors. The endoscopic endonasal approach provides an alternative to open surgical approaches and may obviate the need for facial nerve transposition, middle ear obliteration, and brain retraction. A transmaxillary corridor with transpterygoid dissection is used to expose the pterygopalatine fossa. Further removal of the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus transgresses the pterygomaxillary fossa to provide access to the infratemporal fossa. The extradural nature of most pathology is associated with low rates of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Understanding of the complex neurovascular anatomy of this region is essential to achieving successful resection and preventing complications.

Management of the Facial Nerve in Lateral Skull Base Surgery Analytic Retrospective study

Background:Surgical approaches to the jugular foramen are often complex and lengthy procedures associated with significant morbidity based on the anatomic and tumor characteristics. In addition to the risk of intra-operative hemorrhage from vascular tumors, lower cranial nerves deficits are frequently increased after intra-operative manipulation. Accordingly, modifications in the surgical techniques have been developed to minimize these risks. Preoperative embolization and intra-operative ligation of the external carotid artery have decreased the intraoperative blood loss. Accurate identification and exposure of the cranial nerves extracranially allows for their preservation during tumor resection. The modification of facial nerve mobilization provides widened infratemporal exposure with less postoperative facial weakness. The ideal approach should enable complete, one stage tumor resection with excellent infratemporal and posterior fossa exposure and would not aggravate or cause neurologic deficit. The aim of this study is to present our experience in handling jugular foramen lesions (mainly glomus jugulare) without the need for anterior facial nerve transposition.Methods:In this series we present our experience in Kasr ElEini University hospital (Cairo—Egypt) in handling 36 patients with jugular foramen lesions over a period of 20 years where the previously mentioned preoperative and operative rules were followed. The clinical status, operative technique and postoperative care and outcome are detailed and analyzed in relation to the outcome.Results:Complete cure without complications was achieved in four cases of congenital cholesteatoma and four cases with class B glomus. In advanced cases of glomus jugulare (28 patients) (C and D stages) complete cure was achieved in 21 of them (75%). The operative complications were also related to this group of 28 patients, in the form of facial paralysis in 20 of them (55.6%) and symptomatic vagal paralysis in 18 of them (50%).Conclusions:Total anterior rerouting of the facial nerve carries a high risk of facial paralysis. So it should be reserved for cases where the lesion extends beyond the vertical ICA. Otherwise, for less extensive lesions and less aggressive pathologies, less aggressive approaches could be adopted with less hazards.

Repair of Ocular-Oral Synkinesis of Postfacial Paralysis Using Cross-Facial Nerve Grafting

We present the surgical techniques and results of cross-facial nerve grafting that have been developed in the repair of ocular-oral synkinesis after facial paralysis. Eleven patients with ocular-oral synkinesis after facial paralysis underwent the cross-facial nerve grafting with facial nerve transposition at a tertiary academic hospital between 2003 and 2009. The patient selection for the study was based on the degree of disfigurement and facial function parameter rating using the Toronto Facial Grading System. The procedures used were surgeries done in two stages. All cases were followed up for 2 months to 6 years after the second surgery. The degree of improvement was evaluated at 6 to 7 months after the procedures. Six of the patients were followed up for more than 2 years after the stage-two surgery and demonstrated significant reduction in the ocular-oral synkinetic movements. The Toronto Facial Grading System scores from the postoperative follow-ups increased an average of 16 points (28%), and the patients had achieved symmetrical facial movement. We concluded that cross-facial nerve grafting with facial nerve branch transposition is effective and can be considered as an option for the repair of ocular-oral synkinesis after facial paralysis in select patients.

Nonvascular Lesions of the Jugular Foramen: The Gruppo Otologico Experience

Tumors other than paragangliomas in the jugular foramen are uncommon. Of these, schwannomas and meningiomas predominate. Little clinical data are available in the literature on these tumors at this site. The purpose of this article is to review our experience at the Gruppo Otologico of the management of these tumors. A retrospective series is presented of 32 consecutive patients affected by jugular foramen schwannomas and meningiomas in which their clinical and radiological signs, together with surgical techniques and outcomes, were reviewed. A single-stage resection was possible for the majority of patients when the petro-occipital trans-sigmoid (POTS) approach was used. This allowed resection of both intra- and extradural components of the tumor with hearing preservation and avoidance of facial nerve transposition. No deaths occurred. Lower cranial nerve palsies constituted the major cause of morbidity, but none of the patients required an adjunctive procedure such as vocal cord medialization, tracheostomy, or percutaneous gastrostomy.

Head and Neck Paragangliomas: Revision of 89 Cases in 73 Patients

Paragangliomas (PGL) are uncommon neuroectodermal tumours. PGL are usually clinically benign tumours, although metastasis has been reported and invasive growth can occur in adjacent tissues (<10 %). Mutations in SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD, which encode sub-units of mitochondrial complex II (succinate dehydrogenase), play an important role in the pathogenesis of these tumours. Retrospective review of 73 patients with 89 paragangliomas who had undergone resection of the PGL in our hospital. There were 8 patients who displayed multiple PGL. PGL were distributed as follows: 33 were jugular, 17 tympanic, 26 carotid body tumours, and 13 vagal paragangliomas. All these patients had a follow-up time of at least a year. The surgical approach was evaluated in terms of tumour origin, sequelae, and subsequent evolution, as well as the relapses and their relation with location of the primary tumour. The treatment was surgical, using complementary radiosurgery in just 1 patient. The type A infratemporal fossa approach was used in jugular paragangliomas, the approach was cervical in the carotid and vagal ones and, in the tympanics, a transmeatal or transmastoid approach was performed. In the 73 patients making up our study group, there were 11 recurrences which appeared in jugular paragangliomas (two of them in multiple PGL cases). The post-operative sequelae were mainly cranial nerve paralysis (VII, IX, X, XI, and XII), along with cerebrospinal fluid fistulas in 14 of the jugular PGLs. With this article we try to reflect our experience in the treatment of this type of tumour. Surgical treatment achieves excellent control of the disease with an acceptable morbidity in young or middle-aged patients. In order to diminish the probabilities of facial nerve paralysis in jugular PGL we must avoid the facial nerve transposition in the infratemporal approach.