Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the jugular foramen

Ear Nose Throat J. 2008 Feb;87(2):86, 88-91.

Abstract

We describe what might have been the first reported case of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the jugular foramen. A 50-year-old woman presented with progressive left-sided sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, pulsatile tinnitus, headaches, and ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4-cm left-sided jugular foramen tumor. The patient underwent near-total resection of the tumor. Despite lower cranial nerve preservation, postoperative paralysis of cranial nerves IX and X occurred, and vocal fold medialization was performed 5 days later. The final pathologic diagnosis was neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient was treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This article will discuss the pathologic features and the management of jugular foramen tumors, along with the differential diagnosis of these rare tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Ataxia / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skull Base Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tinnitus / etiology
  • Vertigo / etiology

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin