Jugular foramen schwannomas: a single institution patient series

Jugular foramen schwannomas are rare. To our knowledge only a small number of series including a large number of patients have been reported. We aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics, surgical approaches, and outcome of patients undergoing treatment for jugular foramen schwannomas via a retrospective analysis of departmental records. Data for 28 patients treated for jugular foramen schwannomas in the Department of Neurosurgery at our tertiary level referral institution between January 2001 and December 2010 were analysed. Most patients were in the fourth decade of life, with the duration of symptoms ranging from 1 month to 13 years. A skull base approach was used in every surgically treated patient. Of the 19 patients for whom radiological follow-up were available, complete tumor excision was achieved in 17 patients. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 59 months (mean, 32 months). One patient died and three had permanent morbidity in the form of facial nerve palsy. Jugular foramen schwannomas are best treated by total surgical resection. Partial resection is appropriate for tumors with adhesions to the brainstem and in medically unfit patients. Subsequent radiosurgery can be used for small residual tumors.