Abstract
Introduction: Jugular foramen tumors are rare lesions of the base of the skull, which present difficulties for both diagnosis and management. The objective of this report is to present a series of cases and the management that was given to these patients.
Methods: The present descriptive study includes patients with jugular foramen tumors managed surgically from 2002 to 2006 in the "Solón Espinosa Ayala" Oncological Hospital, where the surgical technique and prognosis were reviewed. The tumors were treated by the same multidisciplinary team, neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist and radiation oncologist.
Results: 10 cases are presented. The facial nerve was reconstructed with grafts of the greater auricular nerve or with anastomosis in five cases. Paragangliomas were the most frequent lesions followed by Schwannomas and meningiomas. Complete excision was possible in 8 cases of benign tumors and in 4 paragangliomas. Low cranial nerves were the most frequently compromised with transient lesions in four patients. And the function of the facial nerve recovered spontaneously in 3 cases. Two cases developed cerebrospinal fluid fistula. One patient died after surgery.
Conclusion: Paragangliomas with intracranial extension must be radically resected through multidisciplinary approaches with preservation of the nerves. Preoperative embolization should be considered. Early extubation, tracheotomy in selected cases and early rehabilitation are very important in postoperative management.