Glomus tumours of the ear: an imaging regime

Jugulotympanic glomus tumours usually present in the middle ear either primarily or as a result of extension upwards from the jugular fossa. Usually they are the initial responsibility of the otologist. If the jugular fossa is involved, special head and neck surgical expertise is required in treatment and spread into the cranial cavity will involve the neurosurgeon. Previously, angiography was used for diagnosis and assessment of the extent of the tumour but it possesses disadvantages. A new protocol has been evolved using high resolution CT combined with MRI including sequences before and after gadolinium-DTPA enhancement. This regimen has been applied successfully in 25 glomus tumours (14 tympanicum and 11 jugulare).