Microsurgical resection of jugular foramen tumors by far lateral approach

    ZHANG Yu, ZHUGE Qiª²Chuan, ZHENG Weiª²Ming, ZHANG Junª²Ting, WU Jinª²Sen, LIN Chen, ZHAO Jiª²Zong

    1Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China, 2Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To introduce the experience of the surgical approach and microsurgical technique in treating jugular foramen tumors. METHODS: Sixteen patients with tumor of the jugular foramen underwent microsurgical operations via far lateral approach under microscope. The clinical manifestations, operative approach, surgical technique, and complication were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Total tumor removal was achieved in 11 cases, subtotal removal in 4 cases, and greater part removal in 1 case. The postoperative pathological examination showed neurinoma in 10 cases, tumor of glomus jugulare in 3, meningioma in 2, and chordoma in 1. After operation, cerebrospinal otorrhea occurred in 1 case and infection in 1 case and the symptoms disappeared after treatment. All 16 patients survived. CONCLUSION: Although the surgery is difficult, far lateral approach with much better view over the vascular and neural structures of the jugular foramen allows safe removal of tumors of the jugular foramen with minimally damage to the nerves or vessels. ......