SELECTIVE EMBOLIZATION OF GLOMUS-JUGULARE TUMORS

Four patients with grade C or D-1 glomus jugulare tumors who underwent preoperative highly selective embolization followed by infratemporal fossa removal of their tumors were compared to three patients undergoi ng surgery alone with respect to intraoperative blood loss operative t ime, cranial nerve palsy length of hospitalization, and preoperative c omplications Embolized patients demonstrated a marked reduction in blo od loss (650 vs 1375 cc) compared with the nonembolized group. Operati ve time was shortened (by 51 minutes). Facial nerve function did not a ppear related to embolization but was directly related to intraoperati ve nerve manipulation. Hospital stay, perioperative complications, and lower cranial nerve palsies were not related to embolization.