[Jugular foramen schwannomas: a review of 17 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To analysis the clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical techniques and outcomes of jugular foramen (JF) schwannomas.


METHODS
We reviewed our 10-year experience in the surgical treatment of 17 patients suffered from JF schwannomas in Hua Shan Hospital, Shanghai. A total of 8 males and 9 females with a mean age of 42 years underwent surgical procedures. A relative long period of 53-month symptomatic history was shown before surgery. The main clinical presentation are vertigo and hearing difficulty in 10 cases, atrophy of unilateral muscles of tongue in 9 cases, involvement of lower cranial nerve in 8 cases. The classification of tumors was type A (at cerebellopontine angle with minimal enlargement of the JF) in five cases, type B (JF with intracranial extension) in 3 cases, type C (extracranial tumors with JF extension) in 2 cases and type D (dumbbell-shaped with both intra-and extracranial components) in 7 cases.


RESULTS
Far lateral approaches were used in 10 cases, retrosigmoid suboccipital approaches were used in 5 cases. Submandibular approaches were selected in other 2 cases. Gross total removal was achieved in 12 cases, and subtotal removal in 5 cases. Follow-up revealed marked improvement from preoperative symptoms in 9 cases and no additional deficits in 3 cases. 5 cases suffered from additional neurological deficits. There were two cases of temporary hoarseness and gradually improved within follow-up. Two patients suffered from swallowing problems as a new deficit. One patient had facial palsy.


CONCLUSIONS
JF schwannomas can be surgically treated with relative good outcomes. Surgical approaches should be tailored according to the tumor extension.
Mao
Ying
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Hua Shan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Zhou
Liang-fu
LF
Zhang
Rong
R
D020436:Accessory Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D020435:Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020421:Vagus Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery