The preoperative evaluation and management of the patient with a jugular foramen tumor comprises a series of clinical, biochemical, radiographic, and endovascular studies. The selection and order of necessary studies are dictated by the suspected tumor type as suggested by the initial clinical and radiographic evaluation. Catecholamine testing and balloon test occlusion, for example, may be necessary in the management of a glomus jugulare tumor, but do not constitute part of the preoperative evaluation of a jugular foramen schwannoma. We review the studies and procedures used in the preoperative evaluation and management of the patient with a jugular foramen tumor. Included in this discussion is an introduction to CT/MRI holography, a newly designed method of three-dimensional image display, which is still in the developmental stage.