Glomus jugulare tumors are highly vascular, benign (non-cancerous) tumors that arise along the dome of the jugular bulb. Centered within the jugular foramen, directly below the middle ear, tumor cells may eventually grow into the middle ear, along nerves, enter the posterior cranial fossa or invade either air cells or the marrow spaces of the lateral skull base. Pulsatile tinnitus, the most common symptom of glomus tumors, occurs due to the vascular nature of these tumors. Conductive hearing loss can also occur as the tumor grows into the middle ear space and prevents transmission of sound through the eardrum and ossicular (hearing bone) chain. Very large glomus jugulare tumors may cause vertigo (feeling that the world is spinning when you are not moving), facial paralysis or weakness, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and even profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Glomus jugulare tumors are first detected/evaluated in the office by a thorough microscope (binocular) evaluation of the ear and comprehensive cranial nerve examination. Due to the highly vascular nature of the tumor, a reddish mass is typically observed behind the eardrum. Imaging studies, including high-resolution temporal bone CT scans, MRI scans of the brain with internal auditory canal protocols and angiography (to get more information about the vascular properties of the tumor) are indicated. Three treatment options exist for glomus jugulare tumors and recommendations are based on the individual properties of each tumor. Because these tumors are slow growing, observation using serial imaging is an option if the tumor is small and not causing intra-temporal or neurologic symptoms. Due to the glomus jugulare tumor being located next to the jugular vein and several important nerves, a team of surgeons is often involved if surgical removal is recommended, including a neurotologist, neurosurgeon and head and neck surgeon. Lastly, conformal radiation is an option that may halt the growth of the tumor by cutting off its blood supply, but the tumor is not removed. Those undergoing surgery may require a formal cerebral angiogram with embolization of tumor vessels 24 – 48 hours prior to resection.
Why Choose Us
- Dr. Abraham Jacob, Medical Director for Ear & Hearing (E&H) at the Center for Neurosciences (CNS), is fellowship trained in Otology, Neurotology, and Cranial Base Surgery. He is the first and most experienced Neurotologist in Southern Arizona and uniquely qualified to operate around the jugular foramen.
- Dr. Jacob was a founding member of the University of Arizona (UA) Department of Otolaryngology prior to his departure and transition to CNS. At UA, he was Vice Chair of ENT and held the rank of full Professor with Tenure.
- Dr. Jacob transitioned his practice to the Center for Neurosciences in early 2017 as he felt that the new environment helped to optimize delivery of personalized ear and lateral skull base care.
- The Center for Neurosciences, in partnership with Tucson Medical Center, offers a tertiary care complement of neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, interventional radiologists, and critical care physicians to maximize outcomes from lateral skull base surgery.
Ear & Hearing Appointments
Our Otologist/Neurotologist specializes in the medical and surgical care of patients with disorders of the ear and lateral skull base. Otology/Neurotology and Audiology work together to offer complete hearing health solutions.
To schedule an appointment with our Ear & Hearing department, please call us at (520) 795-7750.
Our Physicians’ Goal
Our physicians’ goal is to provide the highest-quality neurological care– the same level of care we would want for ourselves or our loved ones.
We will help our patients to understand their condition, listen to their concerns, answer their questions, and provide the best clinical treatment available.