Management of a complex glomus jugulare tumor with severe brainstem compression

Abstract

Surgery of glomus jugulare tumors is complex, but when these tumors have a large intradural component and cause brainstem compression they became a challenge to the surgeon. It is crucial to preoperatively understand the anatomy of the tumor and analyze its relationship with the temporal bone, facial nerve, and foramen jugular neurovascular structures. We present a case of a male patient with a complex glomus jugulare tumor causing severe brainstem compression. Nuances of technique and surgical pearls related to the management of complex jugulare tumors are discussed and illustrated in this operative video. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/oCjzp0kFRGc.

Keywords: brainstem compression; glomus jugulare; jugular foramen; mastoidectomy; video.