Paragangliomas of the petrous temporal bone

The natural behaviour, clinical diagnosis and treatment of paragangliomas of the petrous temporal bone are reviewed. Nine patients with this tumour treated at Groote Schuur Hospital are presented; 2 patients had tympanic paragangliomas and 7 jugular paragangliomas. Surgical excision is recommended as the primary treatment. However, in poor-risk patients or when tumour growth is extensive, irradiation may be of benefit. Although rare, this eventually life-threatening lesion can be successfully removed if diagnosed early enough.