Glomus tumors of temporal bone

RESUMO

The development of new diagnostic tools, microsurgical techniques and a review of the current classifications used of glomus tumors of temporal bone, led the authors to propose a new way to calssify these lesions. This classification is based on two anatomical landmarks the temporal bone and the dura mater. These anatomical structures delineate three levels, where the tumors can be located level E (ear), level N (neck), and level I (intradural). In this way, glomus tumors of temporal bone are grouped in four type E (ear), the tumor is limited to level E; type EN (ear and neck), the tumor is located in both levels E and N; type ENI (ear, neck and intradura), the tumor involves the three levels; and type M (miscellanea). Tumors type M are rare and comprise other possible combinations or isolated types (N, NI, EI and I). CLASSIFICATION CURITIBA 88 has the advantage of being simple and practical, indicating before surgery the composition of the surgical team (neurosurgeon, ENT surgeon, and head and neck surgeon)