Glomus jugulare tumors with intracranial involvement: Clinical features and experience on microsurgical excision with preoperative embolization

Glomus jugulare tumors derived from the jugular bulb which may extend along the jugular vein to the intracranial space or into the middle ear. Clinically, it may present as middle ear syndrome such as otalgia, hearing impairment or presented as jugular foramen syndrome. There are 6 cases of glomus juguare tumors with intracranial involvement at National Taiwan University Hospital since 1984. These patients consist of four males and two females. All had middle ear syndrome such as pulsatile tinnitus and hearing impairment. Four (67 %) had typical jugular foramen syndrome. The initial presentation was hearing impairment, hoarseness, otorrhea, facial palsy, neck mass and diplopia. Three of the six patients received surgical removal of the tumor and preoperative embolization There was no additional postoperative neurological deficits except one had worsen immediately lower cranial nerves deficits but recovered after a few months. All these 3 cases lead a tumor free life.