Radiosurgery of Jugular Foramen Tumors

This article discusses the use of radiosurgery in the treatment of tumors of the jugular foramen, including glomus tumors; schwannomas involving cranial nerves (CNs) IX, X, and XI; and meningiomas. The appropriate role of radiosurgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, or both in the management of these tumors is controversial. Radiosurgery may be used as a primary treatment modality or as an adjunct after subtotal or partial extirpation of a tumor. Although long-term follow-up for as long as 7 years does not conclusively demonstrate the efficacy of radiosurgery in controlling tumors, results have been comparable to those achieved with conventional radiotherapy. Furthermore, radiosurgical outcomes compared favorably with CN morbidity and mortality of surgical series and with radiation-induced morbidity in radiotherapy series. Finally, the limitations and disadvantages of radiosurgery in the treatment of these lesions are discussed.