gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Meningiomas of the jugular foramen are exceedingly rare lesions. They are presumed to originate from arachnoid-lining cells situated within the jugular foramen. We present our experience in a series of 6 patients during a 7 year period and analyze the management and outcome.

Method: All together, 6 patients were treated for meningiomas confined to the jugular foramen between January 2007 and November 2014. Clinical data were collected prospectively including preoperative medical history, radiological, operative and histological findings and follow-up records.

Results: Mean age at surgery was 61,8 years (range: 47 - 69 years). Mean duration of symptoms was 7,5 months (range: 3 - 36 months). The leading symptoms were dizziness and hearing loss. All patients underwent surgery through the lateral suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. A gross total resection (Simpson grade I and II) was achieved in all cases. There were 5 patients with WHO grade I meningiomas and one patient with an atypical WHO grade II meningioma. Dysphagia was the most common postoperative symptom, which was temporary present and improved during a period of 3 to 6 months postoperatively. The mean follow up time was 41,8 months (12 - 93 months). One patient with an atypical meningioma (WHO grade II) underwent second surgery for a recurrent tumor 50 months later.

Conclusions: Gross total tumor resection was possible in all cases through the retrosigmoid approach. However, postoperative dysphagia, although temporary, was inevitable in all cases. Tumor recurrence was dependent on the histological subtype.