Radiotherapy for jugulo-tympanic paragangliomas (glomus jugulare tumours)

Sixty patients with glomus jugulare tumour, seen at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, over forty years, have been reviewed. The term 'jugulo-tympanic paraganglioma' is suggested as a more accurate name for these tumours. The following simple classification is recommended: Group I tumours (tympanic paragangliomas) are those with or without VIIth nerve palsy, but with no other cranial nerve involvement. Group II tumours (jugular paragangliomas) are those with involvement of any cranial nerve other than the VIIth. The method and results of treatment by radiotherapy are discussed. It is concluded that surgery and radiotherapy give comparable results in Group I tumours, but radiotherapy gives superior results in Group II tumours.