Preoperative Endovascular Embolization of Glomus Jugulare Tumors: A Retrospective Case Series of 22 Embolizations in 20 Patients and Literature Review

Objective Glomus jugulare tumors, or tympanojugular paragangliomas, are rare, highly vascularized skull base tumors originated from paraganglion cells of the neural crest. With nonabsorbable embolic agents, embolization combined with surgery has become the norm. The authors assess the profile and outcomes of patients submitted to preoperative embolization in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital. Methods The present study is a single-center, retrospective analysis; between January 2008 and December 2019, 22 embolizations were performed in 20 patients in a preoperative character, and their medical records were analyzed for the present case series. Results Hearing loss was the most common symptom, present in 50% of the patients, while 40% had tinnitus, 30% had dysphagia, 25% had facial paralysis, 20% had hoarseness, and 10% had diplopia. In 7 out of 22 embolization procedures (31%) more than a single embolic agent was used; Gelfoam (Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was used in 18 procedures (81%), in 12 of which as the single agent, followed by Embosphere (Merit Medical, South Jordan, UT, USA) (31%), Onyx (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) (9%), and polyvynil alcohol (PVA) and Bead Block (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) in 4,5% each. The most common vessel involved was the ascending pharyngeal artery, involved in 90% of the patients, followed by the posterior auricular artery in 15%, the internal maxillary artery or the occipital artery in 10% each, and the superficial temporal or the lingual arteries, with 6% each. Only one patient had involvement of the internal carotid artery. No complications from embolization were recorded. Conclusions Preoperative embolization of glomus tumors is safe and reduces surgical time and complications, due to the decrease in size and bleeding.

Tumor de glomus yugulotimpánico, a propósito de un caso / Jugulotympanic glomus tumor, case presentation

Resumen Los tumores de glomus yugulo-timpánico o paragangliomas son originados de células de la cresta neural y representan un número bajo de los tumores de cabeza y cuello (0,5 %). Su crecimiento lento y síntomas progresivos provocan que se retarde el diagnóstico. Conocer la clínica que frecuentemente cursa con pérdida auditiva unilateral, tinnitus pulsátil y afectación de algún par craneal, puede ayudar a sospechar el diagnóstico de glomus. Se mencionan diferentes tipos de métodos diagnósticos, así como nuevas opciones de tratamiento. Dada la localización y su importante vascularización, hay casos en los que la cirugía abierta es muy riesgosa y se buscan procedimientos terapéuticos que disminuyan las complicaciones y morbilidades en estos pacientes, tanto como procedimientos endovasculares. En el artículo se discute el caso de una femenina de 31 años con clínica de inicio insidioso con hipoacusia izquierda progresiva, tinnitus pulsátil izquierdo y disfonía. En 2013, se realiza resonancia magnética nuclear donde se observa proceso infiltrativo tumoral sugestivo de paraganglioma. Se hace embolización endovascular con onyx de glomus yugulotimpánico en cuatro ocasiones, con seguimiento cada 6 meses por no ser candidata a otro tipo de tratamiento, debido al tamaño y localización de la masa y su condición no resecable.

Abstract Jugulo-tympanic glomus tumors or paragangliomas originate from neural crest cells and represent a low number of head and neck tumors (0.5%). Its slow growth and progressive symptoms cause the diagnosis to be delayed. The knowledge of the clinic that frequently involves unilateral hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus and cranial nerve involvement can help to suspect the diagnosis. Different types of diagnostic methods are helpfun, as well as new treatment options have been proposed. Given the location and its important vascularization, there are cases in which open surgery is highly risky and alternative therapeutic procedures trying to reduce complications and morbidities in these patients need to be considered, as well as endovascular procedures. This article discusses the case of a 31-year-old female with an insidious onset of progressive left hearing loss, left pulsatile tinnitus and dysphonia. In 2013, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was performed and a tumor infiltrative process suggesting paraganglioma was observed. Endovascular embolization was performed with onyx of jugulotympanic glomus on four occasions, with follow-up every 6 months, due to the size and location of the mass and its unresectable condition the tumor was considered non surgically resectable.

Cirurgia híbrida na exérese de tumor glômico Shamblin II / Hybrid surgery in excision of a Shamblin II glomus tumor

O tumor glômico é uma neoplasia benigna rara originada de células paraganglionares da crista neural que se desenvolve na camada adventícia do vaso. São tumores não encapsulados e altamente vascularizados. Paciente feminina, 64 anos, foi diagnosticada com tumor glômico hipervascularizado com 5 cm posteriormente à bifurcação carotídea esquerda e oclusão de carótida contralateral. Optou-se por realizar embolização através de acesso endovascular seguida de punção percutânea direta, guiada por angiografia, para preenchimento da área remanescente. Após embolização, realizou-se a exérese cirúrgica do tumor com menor sangramento e maior facilidade para encontrar o plano de clivagem das estruturas adjacentes. Em acompanhamento tardio, a paciente apresenta-se sem recidiva tumoral. O tumor foi classificado como pertencente ao grupo Shamblin II, o qual inclui tumores apresentando de 4 a 6 cm com inserção arterial moderada. Através dessa dupla abordagem, foi possível notar uma redução relativa do sangramento intraoperatório e facilitação de identificação do plano de clivagem, colaborando para sua exérese e evitando o pinçamento cirúrgico

Glomus tumors are rare benign neoplasms originating from paraganglionic cells of the neural crest developing in the adventitious layer of the vessel. They are nonencapsulated and highly vascularized. A 64-year-old female patient was identified with a hypervascularized glomus tumor measuring 5 cm, posterior to the left carotid bifurcation and contralateral carotid occlusion. We performed preoperative embolization via endovascular access followed by direct percutaneous puncture, guided by angiography, to fill the remaining area. After embolization, surgical excision of the tumor was performed with reduced bleeding and it was easier to find the cleavage planes to adjacent structures. At late follow-up, the patient is free from tumor recurrence. The tumor was classified as Shamblin II, measuring 4 to 6 cm with moderate arterial insertion. Through this double approach we observed a relative reduction in intraoperative bleeding and improved identification of the cleavage plane, facilitating excision and avoiding surgical clamping

Serie de casos: Tumores del Golfo de la yugular / Case series: Glomus jugulare tumors

Introducción: Los tumores del foramen yugular son lesiones de la base del cráneo poco frecuentes, que presentan dificultades tanto para el diagnóstico como para el manejo. El objetivo del presente reporte es presentar una serie de casos y el manejo que se dio a estos pacientes. Métodos: El presente estudio descriptivo incluye pacientes con tumores del foramen yugular manejados quirúrgicamente desde el 2002 hasta 2006 en el Hospital Oncológico "Solón Espinosa Ayala", donde se revisó la técnica quirúrgica y el pronóstico. Los tumores fueron abordados por un mismo equipo multidisciplinario, neurocirujano, cirujano otorrinolaringólogo y radio-oncólogo. Resultados: Se presentan 10 casos. El nervio facial fue reconstruido con injertos del nervio auricular mayor o con anastomosis en cinco casos. Los paragangliomas fueron las lesiones más frecuentes seguidas por Schwannomas y meningiomas. La escisión completa fue posible en 8 casos de tumores benignos y en 4 paragangliomas. Los nervios craneales bajos fueron los más frecuentemente comprometidos con lesiones transitorias en cuatro pacientes. Y la función del nervio facial se recobró espontáneamente en 3 casos. Dos casos desarrollaron fístula de líquido céfalo raquídeo. Un paciente falleció después de la cirugía. Conclusión: Los paragangliomas con extensión intracraneal deben ser radicalmente resecados a través de abordajes multidisciplinarios con preservación de los nervios. La embolización preoperatoria debería considerarse. La extubación precoz, traqueotomía en casos seleccionados y temprana rehabilitación son muy importantes en el manejo postoperatorio.

Introduction: Jugular foramen tumors are rare lesions of the base of the skull, which present difficulties for both diagnosis and management. The objective of this report is to present a series of cases and the management that was given to these patients. Methods: The present descriptive study includes patients with jugular foramen tumors managed surgically from 2002 to 2006 in the "Solón Espinosa Ayala" Oncological Hospital, where the surgical technique and prognosis were reviewed. The tumors were treated by the same multidisciplinary team, neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist and radiation oncologist. Results: 10 cases are presented. The facial nerve was reconstructed with grafts of the greater auricular nerve or with anastomosis in five cases. Paragangliomas were the most frequent lesions followed by Schwannomas and meningiomas. Complete excision was possible in 8 cases of benign tumors and in 4 paragangliomas. Low cranial nerves were the most frequently compromised with transient lesions in four patients. And the function of the facial nerve recovered spontaneously in 3 cases. Two cases developed cerebrospinal fluid fistula. One patient died after surgery. Conclusion: Paragangliomas with intracranial extension must be radically resected through multidisciplinary approaches with preservation of the nerves. Preoperative embolization should be considered. Early extubation, tracheotomy in selected cases and early rehabilitation are very important in postoperative management.

Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes of Glomus Tumors in the Temporal Bone and Skull Base / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glomus tumors are benign, slow-growing tumors which cause various symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus and hearing loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestation and surgical outcomes of the glomus tumors in the temporal bone and skull base. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Medical records of 17 patients who were surgically managed for glomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base from 1997 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The location and the size of the tumor were analyzed by CT and MRI, and the Fisch classification method was used to classify the tumor. Pre- and postoperative facial function measured by House-Brackmann (H-B) grade and lower cranial nerve (LCN) function were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of 17 patients was 50.6 (18-83) years, and male to female ratio was 4:13. The most common symptom of glomus tumors was pulsatile tinnitus, and this symptom disappeared or changed naturally postoperatively. The majority of patients with glomus jugulare showed various degrees of immediate postoperative facial nerve palsy, and 8 out of 9 patients showed improvement of facial nerve function to H-B grade I in 3 months. LCN palsy occurred in 5 out of 9 patients immediately following the operation and remained in 3 patients with Fisch type C2 tumor. CONCLUSION: Glomus tumors of the temporal bone and skull base were successfully removed by surgery. The surgical outcome of glomus jugulare shows that facial nerve function is acceptable and the incidence of lower cranial nerve palsy may be related to the classification of tumor.

Spinal Accessory Neuropathy Associated With the Tumor Located on the Jugular Foramen

Spinal accessory neuropathy is commonly caused by iatrogenic injury or secondary to trauma or infection. Nevertheless, the tumor related palsy is rare. We present a case of an 18-year-old male patient suffering from paralysis of his right trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle. An electrophysiologic diagnostic study confirmed the spinal accessory neuropathy of the proximal segment. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging showed the location of tumor on the jugular foramen. However, the type of the tumor was not confirmed through biopsy because the patient refused surgical procedure. Based on the study, it is hypothesized that the tumor located on the jugular foramen should be considered as a cause of the spinal accessory nerve of the proximal segment.

Jugulotympanic Paraganglioma, Mimicking a Vascular Tumor: A Brief Case Report

Jugulotympanic paragangliomas (JTPs) known as glomus tumors, are neoplasms of variable invasiveness that arise from the paraganglia situated around the jugular bulb or middle ear. We now report a rare case of JTP in an 18-year-old male. Preoperative diagnoses through external auditory canal biopsy and radiologic examination both failed. Even using a frozen section, an informative finding was not obtained because mostly granulation tissue was present along with associated squeezing artifacts. On permanent histologic examination, small cell nests between many ectatic small vessels and fibrotic stroma were seen, and those cells were positive for CD56, synaptophysin and chromogranin. Because JTPs are rare and have rather different histologic findings - higher vascularity, smaller and less uniform tumor cells than other paragangliomas - they are easy to misdiagnose. However, remembering those differences may help the physician avoid missing JTPs.

Jugulotympanic Paraganglioma, Mimicking a Vascular Tumor: A Brief Case Report

Jugulotympanic paragangliomas (JTPs) known as glomus tumors, are neoplasms of variable invasiveness that arise from the paraganglia situated around the jugular bulb or middle ear. We now report a rare case of JTP in an 18-year-old male. Preoperative diagnoses through external auditory canal biopsy and radiologic examination both failed. Even using a frozen section, an informative finding was not obtained because mostly granulation tissue was present along with associated squeezing artifacts. On permanent histologic examination, small cell nests between many ectatic small vessels and fibrotic stroma were seen, and those cells were positive for CD56, synaptophysin and chromogranin. Because JTPs are rare and have rather different histologic findings - higher vascularity, smaller and less uniform tumor cells than other paragangliomas - they are easy to misdiagnose. However, remembering those differences may help the physician avoid missing JTPs.

Preservacion de la funcion facial en pacientes con tumores glomicos yugulo timpanicos: Tecnica del muro facial intacto / Preservation of facial function i Jugulo-tympanic glomus tumors

Introducción: Con el refinamiento de la técnica quirúrgica en el manejo de los tumores glómicos yugulotimpánicos la meta actual no sólo es conseguir la resección tumoral sino también la preservación funcional.Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados respecto a erradicación de la enfermedad y preservación de la función facial y auditiva en pacientes con tumores glómicos yugulo-timpánicos manejados mediante la técnica del muro del facial intactoTipo de estudio: Serie de casos (n=17)Resultados: La serie consta de 16 mujeres y un hombre con edad media de 48,6 años. El seguimiento mediofue de 17,5 meses (DE = 12,8). Todos los casos tuvieron función facial normal en el preoperatorio y elresultado al momento de la última valoración, escala House-Brackmann, mostró buena conservación funcional, HB I-II en 77 por ciento (10/13). También se logró buena conservación de la función auditiva, 88,9 por ciento (8/9). Los mayores porcentajes de neuropatía posoperatoria se encontraron con el X PC. No hubo casos de mortalidad y sólo uno de recidiva tumoral (8 por ciento). Se comparan los resultados con series ya publicadas, conotras técnicas quirúrgicas, observando, resección tumoral, preservación facial y auditivas comparablesConclusiones: La técnica descrita es una alternativa de manejo razonable para estos tumores, con buenosporcentajes de curación y de preservación funcional.

Diagnosis and treatment of chordoma in the jugular foramen area:three cases report / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the early diagnosis and the treatment of chordoma in the jugular foramen area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three cases of chordoma in the jugular foramen area were diagnosis and reviewed retrospectively. The initial symptom was facial paralysis. Surgical removal was performed through the infratemporal fossa approach in 1 case, through petro-occipital approach in 2 cases. For repairing facial nerve defect, great auricular nerve was used in 1 case and facial-hypoglossal anastomosis was used in another 2 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor were totally removed in all 3 cases. The patients were follow-up for 6 months to 1 year and no recurrence was found. The function of facial nerve was II grade (House-Brackmann) in one patient and IV grade in another 2 patients. No complications occurred in 3 cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although chordoma originating from the jugular foramen area were extremely rare, it was possible to make early diagnosis through finding clinical feature and imaging methods. The final diagnosis depended on pathology. Generally, the different surgical approaches were used according to the size and position of the tumor. The classic infratemporal fossa approach for tumor removal and facial nerve reconstruction should be considered in the patients with chordoma around jugular foramen.</p>

The management of high jugular bulb and its active bleeding during middle ear surgery / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the incidence of high jugular bulb (HJB) in the patients with chronic otitis media and to explore the management of its active bleeding during middle ear surgery.@*METHOD@#From January 2005 to August 2006, consecutive 287 patients undergoing surgical intervention for chronic otitis media were retrospectively studied. The high resolution CT (HRCT) scan and the surgical technique for diagnosis and management of bleeding of jugular bulb were also discussed.@*RESULT@#Sixty-five patients (22.6%) were diagnosed as HJB by HRCT scan, including 21 men and 44 women (P<0.01), with their ages ranged from 7 to 68 years (mean 41 years). Fourteen cases of them were on the left side, and 31 were on the right side (P<0.05). Twenty cases showed bilateral HJB. Five cases were found dehiscent high jugular bulb by CT scan and were confirmed in operation. Active bleeding was encountered in one case while elevating the pathological eardrum in hypotympanum. It was treated by pressure compression using collagen gelfoam cushion covered by muscle to protect the dehiscent bulb. The patients proceed through the planned surgery without complications.@*CONCLUSION@#HJB might cause hemorrhage during middle ear surgery, but preliminary attention, correct treatment and awareness of the pitfalls may lessen the operation risk.

Surgical Outcomes of Jugular Foramen Tumors; Postoperative Facial Nerve Palsy and Lower Cranial Nerve Palsy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical treatment of jugular foramen tumors can have significant complications such as facial nerve palsy due to complicated regional anatomy. In this study, we investigated the outcomes and complications of surgical approach to the jugular foramen tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirteen patients had operations for their tumors around jugular foramen with a mean follow-up period of 52 months. We reviewed their medical records with emphasis on postoperative facial nerve palsy and other low cranial nerve palsies. RESULTS: There were jugular foramen schwannoma (n=9), glomus jugulare (n=2), meningioma (n=1) and chondrosarcoma (n=1). Gross total removal was achieved in 12 patients. Facial nerves were rerouted at genigulate ganglion (long rerouting) or at the second genu (short rerouting). Mastoidectomies were performed with canal wall-up (CWU) fashion or with canal wall-down (CWD) fashion. The mean size of tumor with long rerouting was significantly larger than that with short rerouting (p=0.037). Facial nerve palsy (FNP) greater than House-Brackmann grade (HB grade) III remained for more than 6 months in a patient. Low cranial nerve palsies were developed in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of jugular foramen tumors had a good local control rate with a low rate of complications. Depending on the size and location of tumors, detailed surgical methods can be determined to avoid unnecessary manipulation of facial nerve and loss of hearing.

Tumor de glomus yugular, presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Glomus juglare tumor, case study and bibliographic reference

Los tumores del glomus yugular o timpánicos son poco comunes. Aunque son considerados tumores benignos, de crecimiento lento y tratamiento quirúrgico, pueden llegar a adquirir grandes dimensiones. El pronóstico de estos tumores está relacionado estrechamente con su localización anatómica y el volumen de la lesión. Si la remoción quirúrgica no es posible la radioterapia constituye una alternativa de tratamiento válida con intenciones paliativas.

The glomus juglare tumors are very uncommon. They are considered as benign and slow growing tumors. The treatment of choice is surgery. The prognosis of these tumors is related to the anatomical location and size of the lesion. If surgery is not posible the next step would be radiotherapy.

jugular foramen: a review of old and new imaging techniques and diagnoses

The imaging anatomy of the jugular foramen [JF] has been described. This is followed by an account of the various historical techniques used for diagnostic visualization. It is obvious that imaging interest has swung almost entirely to newer modalities as a result of dissatisfaction with plain films and conventional tomograms. In many parts of the world, places where no imaging facilities are available, a base view 50-70 degrees short of full extension, and a lateral oblique view are still of value in diagnosing a large foramen or fossa. Demonstration of the exact anatomic details of the bone is not possible without high resolution computed tomography [HRCT]. Conventional pleuridirectional tomography has retreated but remained complementary to computed tomography and a valuable tool in its absence. Computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance [MR] provide more information on intracranial or extracranial extensions of tumours as well as on the involvement of adjacent soft tissues. Four-vessel arteriography and jugular venography add important diagnostic characterization. The diagnostic criteria for each of the pathological conditions and the size of the lesion has been described with the justification for the use of a particular techniques. In nontumoral conditions, CT demonstrates smooth intact margin of the JF, except in cerebral venous thrombosis where phase contrast MR venography is the imaging modality of choice. In most tumoral lesions CT shows areas of infiltrative bone involvement, most schwannomas and meningiomas cause smooth enlargement rather than erosion. The multiplanner nature of MR imaging gives better definition and extent of soft tissues lesions, as well as more specific diagnostic criteria. Most of the tumors show low to intermediate signal intensity on T1- weighted images, and intermediate to high intensity on T2-weighted images, and enhance strongly. Each lesion requires a combination of available modalities to reach the specific diagnosis, sometimes the use of three dimentional CT is indicated, particularly in pre- and postsurgical intervention

Aporte de las imágenes en el diagnóstico de los paragangliiomas de cabeza y cuello / Radiologic support for the diagnosis of paragangliomas of the head and neck

Los paragangliomas de cabeza y cuello son tumores que derivan de las células neuroendócrinas de los paraganglios extrasuprarrenales y se extienden desde la base de cráneo hasta el cayado aórtico. El pronóstico es en general favorable, excepto los que se ubican en el hueso temporal. En el presente trabajo se describen las características en imágenes de las diferentes localizaciones y subtipos de este tumor, en conjunto con una revisión de la literatura hasta la actualidad. Los métodos por imágenes son muy útiles para poder arribar al diagnóstico. El diagnóstico diferencial es de vital importancia a la hora de evitar procedimientos invasivos riesgosos y contraindicados en estos pacientes, como la biopsia

Intradural jugular foramen tumors

Onze pacientes com lesões expansivas do forame jugular associadas ou não a componente extradural foram submetidos a ressecção cirúrgica no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) entre 1998 e 2001. Foi utilizada cirurgia combinada com dissecção do pescoço, mastoidectomia sem transposição do nervo facial e técnica de reconstrução miofascial da base do crânio desenvolvida por um dos autores. Quatro pacientes foram operados via craniectomia retrosigmoidea. Ressecção total foi feita em 9 pacientes, subtotal em um e parcial em outro. Nenhum dos 11 pacientes teve progressão da doença em 2 anos de acompanhamento. Não houve mortalidade. Cinco pacientes tiveram déficits adicionais de nervos cranianos baixos. Nove pacientes mantiveram ou melhoraram suas pontuações de acordo com a escala de Karnofsky. Para adequada abordagem do paciente com tumor de forame jugular, são necessários bom conhecimento anatômico da região, exposição cirúrgica ampla, e técnica de reconstrução eficiente para obter cura com baixas taxas de complicações pós-operatórias.

Microanatomy study on sinus triangle region / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore shape and position relationship of the structures with in sinus triangle region, and provide the anatomic foundation for extended presigmoid operative approach.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten cadaveric heads and 15 skull-base specimens fixed with 10% formalin, with aid of operative microscope, the shape and relations of structures with in the sinus triangle region were observed and microphotographed. Four cadaveric heads were sectioned in different plane using collodion embedding process.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Jugular blub (JB) had high -placed jugular blub (HJB), normal jugular blub (NJB) and low-placed jugular blub (LJB). The incidence of HJB was 8% and 18% for the left and right sides (P < 0.01). The JB dome can extend upward the hypotympanic cavity and the posterior wall of the internal acoustic meatus. The incidence of NJB and LJB was 36% and 30%, and 6% and 2% respectively. The level distance between the posterior semicircular canal and petrosal posterior surface was (4.1 +/- 1.1) mm. The distance between the JB and vertical part of the facial nerve was (3.2 +/- 0.5) mm and (2.0 +/- 0.4) mm. The distance between the JB and posterior margin of the internal acoustic port was (7.5 +/- 1.7) mm and (4.0 +/- 1.0) mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Knowing the shape and position relationship of structures in the sinus triangle region is favorable for preserving the important structures in extended presigmoid operative approach.</p>

Multiple Paragangliomas: Three Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

Paragangliomas are neoplasms that arise from extra-adrenal paraganglia, microscopic islands of cells derived from the neural crest. In the head and neck region, paraganglionic tissue is distributed in the superior and inferior paraganglia, the carotid body, the vagal body, and the jugulotympanic region. Approximately 10% of patients with a paraganglioma have a family history of such tumors. Multiple lesions can be found in 26% of patients with family history. Patients with multiple paragangliomas have a higher risk of having functional pheochromocytoma and should undergo a pretreatment screening for vasopressor substances. Similarly, patients with a family history should undergo four-vessel arteriography to rule out any multiple and clinically unrecognized lesions. The authors have experienced three cases of multiple paragangliomas, which were managed surgically. Two cases were bilateral carotid body tumors and two cases were accompanied by glomus jugulare. Of these, one case had family history. We report three cases of multiple paragangliomas with a review of literatures.

Paraganglioma yugulotimpánico / Paraganglioma yugulotympanic

Los paragangliomas yugulo-timpánicos son los tumores más frecuentes del oído sin embargo, debido a sus escasas manifestaciones clínicas se hace su diagnóstico en estadios avanzados, lo cual representa un incremento importante en su morbi-mortalidad para el momento de su extracción quirúrgica. El presente trabajo es un estudio prospectivo en el que se evalúan 14 pacientes que acudieron al Servicio O.R.L del HUC, entre enero 1988 y diciembre 1998 con diagnóstico de paraganglioma yugulo-timpánico a los cuales se les incluyó en un protocolo de estudio por imágenes y los tratamientos efectuados según su estudio y evolución