FUNCTIONAL SURGERY FOR GLOMUS-JUGULARE TU MORS - AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL

In this retrospective study, oncologic and functional results of 24 pa tients treated for glomus jugulare tumor stages C and D are reported. The surgical approach used was a combined transmastoid-transcervical a pproach, which was modified according to individual tumor growth. As n eeded, this was combined with a transtemporal or retrosigmoid approach . Complete tumor removal resulted in a cure rate of 100%. Surgically i nduced cranial nerve palsies developed in 38% of the patients. In 54% of cases it was possible to retain middle ear function. Seven patients had incomplete tumor removal requiring postoperative irradiation, wit h tumor progression occurring in 2 patients. Radical tumor removal was modified by efforts to reduce mutilating resections. These results sh ow that individually tailored and combined multidirectional surgical a pproaches can allow total tumor removal to be performed with lower mor bidity.