OBJECTIVETo evaluate the various surgical approaches in removing the jugular foramen region tumors in order to obtain the maximal functional preservation.

METHODSBetween March 1993 and May 2005, 32 patients with jugular foramen region tumors were operated. The mastoid and neck approach, the infratemporal fossa approach with and without rerouting the facial nerve, the combined transcochlear and infratemporal fossa approach were respectively used according to the tumor type, size, auditory, facial and lower cranial nerve functions. The cranial nerve monitoring was used and a postoperative CT or MRI scanning was taken in all cases.

RESULTSIn this series of 32 patients, 13 were paragangliomas, 10 schwannomas,2 meningiomas, 2 giant cell tumors, 1 chondrosarcoma, 1 mucochondrosarcoma, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma and 1 case cholesterol Granuloma. The follow-up period was 3-60 months. Total removals were achieved in 26 cases, near-total removal in 5 cases, and subtotal removal in one case. One patient died after surgery because of intracranial hemorrhage. Another patient died two year after operation because of recurrence. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage was occurred in 5 cases and meningitis in two cases. They were all treated conservatively. The facial function one week after operation was grade 1-2 in 13 cases, grade 3-4 in 12 cases and grade 5-6 in 7 cases. It changed into grade 1-2 in 23 cases, grade 3-4 in 7 cases and grade 5-6 in 2 cases. The postoperative hearing was improved in 4 cases, stable in 10 cases, deteriorated in 11 cases and totally lost in 7 cases. The lower cranial nerve function was normal in 9 cases, transient palsy in 11 cases, permanent paralysis with compensation in 10 cases and without compensation in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONThe jugular foramen region tumor could be removed with maximal function preservation by using various surgical approaches. The postoperative life quality was acceptable in most cases. Surgical techniques and postoperative complications management were fundamental in achieving a good result.