[Jugular foramen schwannomas: a review of 17 cases]

To analysis the clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical techniques and outcomes of jugular foramen (JF) schwannomas.

We reviewed our 10-year experience in the surgical treatment of 17 patients suffered from JF schwannomas in Hua Shan Hospital, Shanghai. A total of 8 males and 9 females with a mean age of 42 years underwent surgical procedures. A relative long period of 53-month symptomatic history was shown before surgery. The main clinical presentation are vertigo and hearing difficulty in 10 cases, atrophy of unilateral muscles of tongue in 9 cases, involvement of lower cranial nerve in 8 cases. The classification of tumors was type A (at cerebellopontine angle with minimal enlargement of the JF) in five cases, type B (JF with intracranial extension) in 3 cases, type C (extracranial tumors with JF extension) in 2 cases and type D (dumbbell-shaped with both intra-and extracranial components) in 7 cases.

Far lateral approaches were used in 10 cases, retrosigmoid suboccipital approaches were used in 5 cases. Submandibular approaches were selected in other 2 cases. Gross total removal was achieved in 12 cases, and subtotal removal in 5 cases. Follow-up revealed marked improvement from preoperative symptoms in 9 cases and no additional deficits in 3 cases. 5 cases suffered from additional neurological deficits. There were two cases of temporary hoarseness and gradually improved within follow-up. Two patients suffered from swallowing problems as a new deficit. One patient had facial palsy.

JF schwannomas can be surgically treated with relative good outcomes. Surgical approaches should be tailored according to the tumor extension.