Preservation of Cranial Nerves Function in Glomus Jugulare Surgery: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Owing to their invasive character, extreme vascularity, and critical location, glomus jugulare tumors present a formidable challenge. Techniques have been developed for safe and successful removal of even giant glomus paragangliomas.1-3 Preoperative evaluation including genetic, hormonal, and multiplicity workup4 has enhanced the safety of surgical management, as did modern preoperative embolization by eliminating excessive blood loss.5 Despite these advancements, surgical outcomes of glomus jugulare remain haunted by cranial nerve dysfunction such as facial nerve palsies and hearing loss, with lower cranial nerves dysfunction being the most morbid. These can be avoided by technical maneuvers to preserve the cranial nerves. The external ear canal is not closed to maintain conductive hearing. The facial nerve is not transpositioned and kept inside a bony protective canal. Cranial nerves IX, X, and XI are the most vulnerable because they pass through the jugular foramen ventral to the venous bulb wall. They are preserved by intrabulbar dissection that maintains a protective segment of the venous wall over the nerves. By mastering the anatomy of the upper neck, meticulous dissection is performed to preserve the course of IX, X, XI, and XII.6,7 Ligation of the jugular vein is delayed until the tumor is totally isolated to avoid diffuse bleeding.7 We present the case of a 60-yr-old woman with a glomus jugulare tumor with intradural, extradural, and cervical extension. The technical nuances of cranial nerves preservation are demonstrated. The patient consented to the procedure and publication of her images. Images at 2:12, 2:50, and 3:09 from Al-Mefty and Teixeira,6 with permission from JNSPG.