Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo study the clinical and imaging features of jugular foramen tumors, so as to differentiate the tumors of this area and to guide the surgical treatment.MethodsClinical and imaging data of 38 cases suffering from jugular foramen tumors surgically treated in our department from April 1998 to May 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe tumors of jugular foramen included schwannoma (n=25), glomus jugulare tumor (n=8) and meningioma (n=5). All cases received skull base CT and MRI examinations before microsurgical treatment. Their initial symptoms mainly included tinnitus, hearing loss, headaches, unsteady gait, dysphagia and hoarseness. As for the imaging features, glomus jugulare tumor showed typical “salt pepper sign” with obvious enhancement, enlargement and irregular edge of jugular foramen, Schwannoma often had heterogeneous enhancement and part of cystic degeneration with regular edge of the foramen, meningioma had typical “dural tail sign” without obvious expansion of the foramen but with irregular bone hyperostosis, even calcification.ConclusionThe imaging features of different types of jugular foramen tumors are significantly different. Imaging can clearly show the tumor and the adjacent structural changes, which can help neurosurgeons to develop appropriate treatment strategies.
