Imaging jugulotympanic glomus tumors

Traditionally, jugulotympanic tumors, also called chemodectomas or paragangliomas, have been evaluated by conventional imaging to show bone erosion and angiography for the definitive diagnosis, location, and extent. More recently, computed tomography has been used to show these features as well as the intracranial extension. Magnetic resonance imaging has added a new dimension, particularly for assessment of intracranial spread and growth downward into the neck. We examined 20 jugulotympanic glomus tumors by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement and believe that these two imaging modalities, combined with clinical assessment, can provide all the necessary information regarding diagnosis, situation, and extent in the majority of jugulotympanic glomus tumors. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was particularly effective for the detection of small tumors confined to the middle ear and for confirmation that the jugular bulb was not involved. Consequently, angiography is no longer a first-line imaging investigation but rather a preoperative evaluation only in those tumors in which preoperative embolization is required or occasionally when the extent of the tumor, especially in the jugular bulb, cannot be confidently predicted by noninvasive imaging.