Suprabulbar Approach to Jugular Fossa Tumors: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Owing to their scarcity, location, and intricate neurovascular associations, jugular fossa tumors are among the most challenging pathologies encountered by the neurosurgeon.1 While paragangliomas originate within and often occlude the jugular bulb, schwannomas and meningiomas are extra-bulbar and typically do not impede venous flow.2 Schwannomas typically arise from an extradural origin, expanding the jugular foramen.3-5 Meningiomas are intradural and cause hyperostosis of the jugular tubercle.6 We described and have been exposing and resecting jugular fossa tumors through a presigmoid suprabulbar infralabyrinthine window6 that has been detailed in cadaveric studies.7,8 This approach maintains the patency of the jugular bulb without breaching the labyrinths or manipulating the facial nerve. It is applicable to cases with partially impaired hearing and intact lower cranial nerves. The carotid artery can be identified by neuronavigation and micro-Doppler ultrasonography. This approach provides a direct lateral trajectory with a short distance to the jugular fossa and cerebellopontine angle. Early exposure and central debulking of the tumor minimize manipulation of the exquisitely sensitive lower cranial nerves. The distal aspect of these tumors can be removed with endoscopic assisted techniques.9 The first patient is a 49-yr-old woman with a previously irradiated schwannoma who presented with worsening neurologic deficits-an extradural suprabulbar approach was used to resect this tumor. The second patient is a 27-yr-old woman with an enlarging meningioma and associated neurological dysfunction; this tumor was resected using the suprabulbar approach with opening of the presigmoid dura. Both patients have consented to surgery and publication of images. Image at 2:27 and 6:38 reprinted from Arnautović et al, with permission from JNSPG. Image at 2:50 and 6:45 ©Ossama Al-Mefty 1997, reused with permission.