Neurologic manifestations of glomus tumors in the head and neck

In 75 patients with glomus tumors in the head and neck region, 57 tumors arose from the jugular bulb region, 11 from the middle ear, and seven from the vagus nerve. Thirty-seven percent (28 patients) had cranial nerve paralysis, and 14.6% (11) had intracranial tumor extension. The jugular foramen syndrome was associated with a 50% (two of four patients) incidence, and hypoglossal nerve paralysis with a 75% (three of four) incidence of posterior fossa tumor invasion. Horner syndrome and labyrinthine destruction had a 50% (two of four) incidence of a middle cranial fossa tumor invasion. The incidence of central nervous system (CNS) invasion with cranial nerve paralysis (excluding the seventh nerve) was 52% (11 of 21). Otologic findings and seventh nerve paralysis did not correlate with CNS tumor extension.