Surgical therapy of glomus vagale tumors

Lying between the carotid bifurcation and the jugular foramen, glomus vagale tumors share characteristics with paragangliomas of those two structures, such as invasion of the carotid artery, destruction of the skull base, and cranial neuropathies. This capability for local invasion provides a therapeutic challenge with regard to the proper assessment of tumor extent and the selection of appropriate treatment. In order to clarify an approach to the management of glomus vagale tumors, we reviewed a 10-year experience with 15 patients treated for this tumor at the University of Zürich Department of Otolaryngology, using a new system of classification. This system highlights the relative position of a vagal paraganglioma to the jugular foramen and is helpful in designing the proper therapy. Pitfalis in surgical technique, recommended preoperative evaluation, and the roles of balloon occlusion and irradiation in the treatment of these tumors, are discussed.