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Acta Neurochirurgica Feb 2022Non-vestibular schwannomas are relatively rare, with trigeminal and jugular foramen schwannomas being the most common. This is a heterogenous group which requires...
Management of non-vestibular schwannomas in adult patients: a systematic review and consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section Part III: Lower cranial nerve schwannomas, jugular foramen (CN IX, X, XI) and hypoglossal schwannoma (XII).
BACKGROUND
Non-vestibular schwannomas are relatively rare, with trigeminal and jugular foramen schwannomas being the most common. This is a heterogenous group which requires detailed investigation and careful consideration to management strategy. The optimal management for these tumours remains unclear, and there are several controversies. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the main principles defining management and surgical strategy, in order to formulate a series of recommendations.
METHODS
A task force was created by the EANS skull base section committee along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the surgical management of these tumours on a European perspective. To achieve this, the task force performed an extensive systematic review in this field and had discussions within the group. This article is the third of a three-part series describing non-vestibular schwannomas (IX, X, XI, XII).
RESULTS
A summary of literature evidence was proposed after discussion within the EANS skull base section. The constituted task force dealt with the practice patterns that exist with respect to preoperative radiological investigations, ophthalmological assessments, optimal surgical and radiotherapy strategies and follow-up management.
CONCLUSION
This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the treatment of non-vestibular schwannomas. For each of these tumours, the management paradigm is shifting towards the compromise between function preservation and progression free survival.
Topics: Adult; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms; Cranial Nerves; Humans; Jugular Foramina; Neurilemmoma; Skull Base
PubMed: 34854994
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-05072-y -
Brain Sciences Sep 2022Staged surgery strategy was preferred for patients with intra-extracranial communicating jugular foramen paraganglioma (IECJFP). A female patient who presented mild...
Staged surgery strategy was preferred for patients with intra-extracranial communicating jugular foramen paraganglioma (IECJFP). A female patient who presented mild tinnitus, headache, and dizziness, together with preoperative related imaging, was diagnosed with a left intra-extracranial communicating jugular foramen lesion in November 2015 and accepted an initial operation for the intracranial tumor by retrosigmoid approach. The pathologic report was paraganglioma. In November 2021, a subtotal resection of the extracranial tumor was conducted for prominent lower cranial nerves (LCNs) deficit and middle ear involvement by infratemporal approach. In patients with IECJFP accompanied by LCNs deficit and middle ear involvement, an initial surgery for extracranial lesion and a second procedure for intracranial tumor were appropriate. However, the first operation for the intracranial lesion was preferred in IECJFP cases without LCNs deficit and middle ear involvement, as it could remove compression to the neurovascular structure and brain stem, clarify a pathological diagnosis, avoid a CSF leak, and prevent a severe neurological disorder from extracranial lesion excision. Subtotal resection of the extracranial tumor would be performed when lesion became larger combined with obvious LCNs disorder and tympanic cavity involvement. Consideration of specific staged surgical strategy for IECJFP in accordance with preoperative LCNs deficit and tympanic cavity involvement could prevent critical postoperative neurological deficit and improve quality of life in the long term.
PubMed: 36138993
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091257 -
Journal of Neurosurgery Dec 2014Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is difficult to treat. On the basis of results obtained by using Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) to treat trigeminal neuralgia, the authors have...
OBJECT
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is difficult to treat. On the basis of results obtained by using Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) to treat trigeminal neuralgia, the authors have used GKS to treat glossopharyngeal neuralgia in a series of patients since 2007. Their objectives with this study were to demonstrate the usefulness and safety of GKS for treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia and to describe a simple treatment method.
METHODS
From 2007 through 2013, the authors treated glossopharyngeal neuralgia in 5 patients (4 women and 1 man), who ranged in age from 36 to 74 years. One patient had previously undergone treatment for trigeminal neuralgia at the Ruber International Hospital, Department of Functional Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. For all patients, before GKS, medical management did not control the pain. Three patients had previously undergone surgery (2 microvascular decompression and 1 rhizotomy) without improvement. For the GKS procedure, the nerve was localized by MRI and CT under stereotactic conditions and the target was located at the level of the glossopharyngeal meatus of the jugular foramen. For 1 patient, a maximum dose of 80 Gy was administrated with a 4-mm collimator, and for the others, the maximum dose was 90 Gy. The nerves located near the glossopharyngeal nerve received between 63 and 10 Gy, and the brainstem received less than 10 Gy. The mean follow-up time was 43 months (range 14-83 months).
RESULTS
All patients improved within 3-6 months after undergoing GKS. All 5 are without pain; 3 patients take no medication, but the other 2 patients continue to take medication. No neurological deficits after GKS were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
GKS is useful and safe for treating glossopharyngeal neuralgia, even for patients who have previously undergone surgery. GKS should be considered as the initial therapy for glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Radiosurgery; Reoperation; Treatment Outcome; Trigeminal Neuralgia
PubMed: 25434956
DOI: 10.3171/2014.8.GKS141273 -
The Neurohospitalist Jul 2023Jugular foramen syndrome (JFS) is a lower cranial neuropathy syndrome characterized by dysphonia and dysphagia. The syndrome is caused by dysfunction of the...
Jugular foramen syndrome (JFS) is a lower cranial neuropathy syndrome characterized by dysphonia and dysphagia. The syndrome is caused by dysfunction of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and spinal accessory nerves at the level of the pars nervosa and pars vascularis within the jugular foramen. There are numerous etiologies for JFS, including malignancy, trauma, vascular, and infection. Here, we present the case of a healthy adult man who developed JFS secondary to an atypical presentation of Varicella Zoster meningitis, and was promptly diagnosed and treated with rapid symptom resolution. We diagnosed the patient using specialized skull-based imaging which detailed the jugular foramen, as well as CSF analysis. This case highlights the clinical value of detailed structural evaluation, consideration for infection in the absence of systemic symptoms, and favorable outcomes following early identification and treatment.
PubMed: 37441204
DOI: 10.1177/19418744221116717 -
La Clinica Terapeutica 2023The present study aimed at determining the incidence of sternal foramina in adult dry bones of North Indian descent. We also aimed to determine the number, precise... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
The present study aimed at determining the incidence of sternal foramina in adult dry bones of North Indian descent. We also aimed to determine the number, precise location of the sternal foramina with a standard reference point which might have considerable importance with regard to procedures involving sternal puncture.
METHODS
This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 72 dry adult human sternums. Various measurements in relation to the sternal foramina were taken with a non-stretchable measuring tape and digital vernier calliper and expressed as: [A]-total sternal length, [B]-distance between the jugular notches to the foramen, [C]-distance between the angle of Louis to the foramen and [D]-distance of the foramen from the mid sternal plane. Statistical analysis was performed with Microsoft Excel version 2019. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
We found 6.94% (5 out of 72 sternums) incidence of sternal foramina which corroborates well with the existing literature. Mean sternal length was 127.7 ± 09 mm. The mean distance of the foramina from suprasternal notch, sternal angle and from the median plane were 118.12 ± 0.3 mm, 116.7 mm and 2.4 mm respectively. Incidence of sternal foramina was almost similar to previously reported studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The precise knowledge about the expected location of sternal foramina is imperative to avoid intra-thoracic visceral injury during commonly performed acupuncture needle insertion and while doing bone marrow aspiration for diagnostic evaluation.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Clinical Relevance; Cross-Sectional Studies; Knowledge; Neck; Research Design
PubMed: 38048113
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2023.5017 -
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part... Jun 2019Despite being pathologically benign, jugular foramen meningioma (JFM) may be locally aggressive and spread in three compartments. Because of the complex anatomical...
Despite being pathologically benign, jugular foramen meningioma (JFM) may be locally aggressive and spread in three compartments. Because of the complex anatomical location, radical removal of JFM usually causes serious morbidity through lower cranial nerve (LCN) deficits. To accomplish long-standing tumor control with good functional outcomes, we report function-preserving multimodal treatment (FMT) for JFM, comprising the combination of intradural tumor removal with the preservation of LCN function and stereotactic radiosurgery (RS) for the residual tumor. This study investigated six JFM patients (five women, one man). Preoperatively, five patients showed no LCN sign. All patients underwent function-preserving retrosigmoid intradural tumor removal, and no patient developed new LCN deficit. Three patients underwent RS for the residual tumor at 8 to 12 months after surgery. After RS, all three tumors were controlled. No patients showed tumor recurrence or new LCN deficits in the follow-up period (2 months to 8 years). FMT for JFMs can accomplish long-standing tumor control with excellent functional outcomes.
PubMed: 31143565
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668137 -
World Neurosurgery May 2022The intermediate condylar canal, which lies lateral to the occipital condyles and medial to the jugular foramen, is rarely mentioned in textbooks, even those devoted to...
BACKGROUND
The intermediate condylar canal, which lies lateral to the occipital condyles and medial to the jugular foramen, is rarely mentioned in textbooks, even those devoted to the skull base. Therefore the present anatomic study was performed to better elucidate these structures.
METHODS
We studied 100 adult skulls (200 sides) to better understand the prevalence and anatomy of the intermediate condylar canal.
RESULTS
An intermediate canal was found on 6 of 200 sides (3%). On average, these canals traveled 7.1 mm lateral to the occipital condyle and had a mean of 2.2 mm posteromedial to the jugular foramen. Anteriorly, these canals opened into the external surface of the hypoglossal canal and, when present, were just medial to a paracondylar process for which there was a strong positive correlation. The length of the canals ranged from 5 to 7.8 mm. In all, there were 3 partial canals and 3 complete canals. One left canal communicated anteriorly at the confluence of the inferior opening of a septated (bifurcated) hypoglossal canal and an unnamed foramen medial to the jugular foramen. These canals were distinct from posterior condylar canals when the latter was present.
CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of the anatomic variants at the base of the skull may help minimize complications during surgical procedures that employ a paracondylar or transcondylar approach or approaches to the jugular foramen.
Topics: Adult; Cadaver; Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures; Occipital Bone; Orthopedic Procedures; Skull; Skull Base
PubMed: 35033691
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.01.028 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Nov 2022Large, destructive intracranial and extracranial lesions at the jugular foramen (JF) and anterior craniovertebral junction (CVJ) are among the most challenging lesions...
Quantitative Anatomic Comparison of the Extreme Lateral Transodontoid vs Extreme Medial Endoscopic Endonasal Approaches to the Jugular Foramen and Craniovertebral Junction.
BACKGROUND
Large, destructive intracranial and extracranial lesions at the jugular foramen (JF) and anterior craniovertebral junction (CVJ) are among the most challenging lesions to resect.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the extreme lateral transodontoid approach (ELTOA) with the extreme medial endoscopic endonasal approach (EMEEA) to determine the most effective surgical approach to the JF and CVJ.
METHODS
Seven formalin-fixed cadaveric heads were dissected. Using neuronavigation, we quantitatively measured and compared the exposure of the intracranial and extracranial neurovascular structures, the drilled area of the clivus and the C1 vertebra, and the area of exposure of the brainstem.
RESULTS
The mean total drilled area of the clivus was greater with the EMEEA than with the ELTOA (1043.5 vs 909.4 mm 2 , P = .02). The EMEEA provided a longer exposure of the extracranial cranial nerves (CNs) IX, X, and XI compared with the ELTOA (cranial nerve [CN] IX: 18.8 vs 12.0 mm, P = .01; CN X: 19.2 vs 10.4 mm, P = .003; and CN XI, 18.1 vs 11.9 mm, P = .04). The EMEEA, compared with the ELTOA, provided a significantly greater area of exposure of the contralateral ventromedial medulla (289.5 vs 80.9 mm 2 , P < .001) and pons (237.5 vs 86.2 mm 2 , P = .005) but less area of exposure of the ipsilateral dorsolateral medulla (51.5 vs 205.8 mm 2 , P = .008).
CONCLUSION
The EMEEA and ELTOA provide optimal exposures to different aspects of the CVJ and JF. A combination of these approaches can compensate for their disadvantages and achieve significant exposure.
Topics: Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Endoscopy; Formaldehyde; Humans; Jugular Foramina; Nose
PubMed: 36103356
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000000350 -
Journal of Neurosurgery Oct 2018For some jugular foramen schwannomas (JFSs), complete resection is possible but may be associated with significant morbidity. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a...
OBJECTIVE
For some jugular foramen schwannomas (JFSs), complete resection is possible but may be associated with significant morbidity. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a minimally invasive alternative or adjunct to microsurgery for JFSs. The authors reviewed clinical and imaging outcomes of SRS for patients with these tumors.
METHODS
Nine participating centers of the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation identified 92 patients who underwent SRS between 1990 and 2013. Forty-one patients had prior subtotal microsurgical resection. The median interval between previous surgery and SRS was 15 months (range 0.5-144 months). Eighty-four patients had preexisting cranial nerve (CN) symptoms and signs. The median tumor volume was 4.1 cm (range 0.8-22.6 cm), and the median margin dose was 12.5 Gy (range 10-18 Gy). Patients with neurofibromatosis were excluded from this study.
RESULTS
The median follow-up was 51 months (range 6-266 months). Tumors regressed in 47 patients, remained stable in 33, and progressed in 12. The progression-free survival (PFS) was 93% at 3 years, 87% at 5 years, and 82% at 10 years. In the entire series, only a dumbbell shape (extension extracranially via the jugular foramen) was significantly associated with worse PFS. In the group of patients without prior microsurgery (n = 51), factors associated with better PFS included tumor volume < 6 cm (p = 0.037) and non-dumbbell-shaped tumors (p = 0.015). Preexisting cranial neuropathies improved in 27 patients, remained stable in 51, and worsened in 14. The CN function improved after SRS in 12% of patients at 1 year, 24% at 2 years, 27% at 3 years, and 32% at 5 years. Symptomatic adverse radiation effects occurred in 7 patients at a median of 7 months after SRS (range 5-38 months). Six patients underwent repeat SRS at a median of 64 months (range 44-134 months). Four patients underwent resection at a median of 14 months after SRS (range 8-30 months).
CONCLUSIONS
Stereotactic radiosurgery proved to be a safe and effective primary or adjuvant management approach for JFSs. Long-term tumor control rates and stability or improvement in CN function were confirmed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glomus Jugulare Tumor; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Microsurgery; Middle Aged; Neoplasm, Residual; Neurilemmoma; Progression-Free Survival; Radiosurgery; Reoperation; Young Adult
PubMed: 29125412
DOI: 10.3171/2017.5.JNS162894 -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Oct 2021Accurate differentiation of paragangliomas and schwannomas in the jugular foramen has important clinical implications because treatment strategies may vary but...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Accurate differentiation of paragangliomas and schwannomas in the jugular foramen has important clinical implications because treatment strategies may vary but differentiation is not always straightforward with conventional imaging. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of both qualitative and quantitative metrics derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging using golden-angle radial sparse parallel MR imaging to differentiate paragangliomas and schwannomas in the jugular foramen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective study of imaging data was performed on patients ( = 30) undergoing MR imaging for jugular foramen masses with the golden-angle radial sparse parallel MR imaging technique. Imaging data were postprocessed to obtain time-intensity curves and quantitative parameters. Data were normalized to the dural venous sinus for relevant parameters and analyzed for statistical significance using a Student test. A univariate logistic model was created with a binary output, paraganglioma or schwannoma, using a wash-in rate as a variable. Additionally, lesions were clustered on the basis of the wash-in rate and washout rate using a 3-nearest neighbors method.
RESULTS
There were 22 paragangliomas and 8 schwannomas. All paragangliomas demonstrated a type 3 time-intensity curve, and all schwannomas demonstrated a type 1 time-intensity curve. There was a statistically significant difference between paragangliomas and schwannomas when comparing their values for area under the curve, peak enhancement, wash-in rate, and washout rate. A univariate logistic model with a binary output (paraganglioma or schwannoma) using wash-in rate as a variable was able to correctly predict all observed lesions ( < .001). All 30 lesions were classified correctly by using a 3-nearest neighbors method.
CONCLUSIONS
Paragangliomas at the jugular foramen can be reliably differentiated from schwannomas using golden-angle radial sparse parallel MR imaging-dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging when imaging characteristics cannot suffice.
Topics: Contrast Media; Humans; Jugular Foramina; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neurilemmoma; Paraganglioma; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34503944
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A7243