Efficacy of microsurgical treatment in 58 patients with primary jugular foramen schwannomas / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of microsurgical resection in primary jugular foramen schwannomas (JFSs).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; the clinical data of 58 patients with JFSs treated by microsurgery in Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 2012 to June 2021 were collected. Seven patients accepted microsurgery via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach, and 51 patients accepted microsurgery via jugular foramen approach. Fifty-three patients were followed up for 4.5 years (ranged from 0.5-8.5 years); follow-ups included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores, postoperative complications, and imaging reexaminations. Results:Fifty patients (86.2%) achieved total tumor resection and 8 (13.8%) subtotal resection. The KPS scores at discharge were 68.6±14.9, which were significantly lower than the preoperative KPS scores (77.6±13.5, t=2.452, P=0.017). During the follow-up, 5 patients(9.4%) had tumor recurrence, and 39 patients (73.6%) had improved symptoms after surgery. One patient (1.9%, modified Samii D type) died of cerebellar hemorrhage and swelling after surgery. The main complications included new/aggravated hoarseness (11/53), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (7/53), new/aggravated dysphagia (5/53), and new facial paralysis (4/53). Conclusion:In microsurgical resection of JFSs, short-term symptoms of the lower cranial nerves may be exacerbated, but long-term results are good.