Primary meningiomas of the jugular fossa

Abstract

Object. Primary jugular fossa meningomas (JFMs) are one of the rarest subgroups of meningioma, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the literature. The authors retrospectively analyzed the results of surgical treatment in their series of patients, including clinical, pathological, and complication features. The surgical approach was mandated by the pathological anatomy of the tumor as well as by the anatomy of the individual patient. Methods. During a 6.5-year period, the authors performed nine surgeries in eight patients (seven women [88%] and one man [12%]) with JFMs. Six lesions occurred on the right side and two on the left. The most common presenting symptoms were altered hearing in five patients (62%), swallowing difficulties in four patients (50%), and a deficit of the 11th cranial nerve in three patients (38%); a combination of two or more signs or symptoms was common. The surgical approach was tailored to the local anatomy (tumor—neurovascular relationships) found in each patient; three different routes were used. Radical tumor removal was achieved in all patients; one tumor recurrence occurred after 20 months in a patient in whom the tumor had displayed atypical histological features. This woman underwent a second operation. The mean length of hospital stay was 1 week. The mean and the median follow-up period were 45 and 40 months, respectively. The most common complications were transient lower cranial nerve deficits, which resolved or were compensated for in all patients within 1 month. Conclusions. With a careful, extensive preoperative evaluation and appropriate tailoring of the operative approach, JFMs can be radically resected with the expectation of good outcome.