Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment of Glomus Juglare
Glomus jugulare tumors are very rare, slow growing, and benign brain tumors. They widely invade the temporal bone. It is the most common tumor of the middle ear. Glomus jugulare tumors occur most often in women in their 50s.
SYMPTOMS
This brain tumor’s location in the jugular foramen at the base of the skull causes symptoms that include hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, hearing loss or a ringing in the ear. Dizziness or blackouts might occur.
DIAGNOSIS
Initial diagnosis can be made with CT or MRI scanning. Confirmation can be made with cerebral angiography because this tumor often has a large blood supply. Multiple tumors are associated with genetic disorders.
TREATMENT
The most effective treatment for this tumor is under debate. Radiation, radiosurgery, surgery or a combination of these might be appropriate. The surgical team often consists of a neurosurgeon and a head and neck surgeon. For those tumors which cannot be totally removed by surgery, or when surgery is not possible, radiation therapy or radiosurgery may be recommended.
This information published with permission of the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). For more comprehensive information about this condition and others, visit the ABTA web site.