Observation and partial targeted surgery in the management of tympano-jugular paraganglioma: a contribution to the multioptional treatment

The objective of this study was to assess the value of a limited tumor excision in tympano-jugular paragangliomas treated with observation with the goal of preventing, or repairing, a neural (VII cranial nerve) or brain damage and continue an otherwise correct observation. This is a retrospective case review. Each patient was submitted to a complete neuro-radiological work-up for diagnosis including CT, MRI, and angiography if needed of tympano-jugular paraganglioma class C. All the cases were submitted to observation and in 16 cases partial targeted surgery was performed. In 10 cases, the procedure involved a targeted removal of the tumor growing in contact with, or invading, the Fallopius. In four cases, the procedure was a petro-occipital trans-sigmoid approach to remove the intradural portion of tumor producing the picture of brain stem compression. In two cases, there was the excision of the bleeding tumor surfaces in the outer ear canal. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 20 years. Success was considered the maintenance of observation without the change of class of tumor extension. In 13 over 16 cases, the observation could be continued, as it still was the more favorable option between natural and surgical morbidity. In the other three cases, a newly installed paralysis of the 9–10 cranial nerves due to tumor growth involved a correction of the strategy to a radical procedure. Partial targeted surgery was directed to cases submitted to observation. It allowed to prevent, or repair, an impending, or actual damage to the facial nerve or the brain stem and to continue the abstentional treatment by keeping the balance between natural and therapy morbidity in favor of observation.