{"id":282,"date":"2020-12-23T15:16:16","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T22:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurotucson.fm1.dev\/ear-hearing\/glomus-tympanicum-tumors\/"},"modified":"2021-07-21T12:01:53","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T18:01:53","slug":"glomus-tympanicum-tumors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurotucson.com\/ear-hearing\/neurotology\/glomus-tympanicum-tumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Glomus Tympanicum Tumors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Glomus tympanicum tumors (also known as paragangliomas of the middle ear) are highly vascular, benign (non-cancerous) tumors that arise from paraganglia in the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss<\/a> is common due to the tumor occupying space within the middle ear and preventing transmission of sound through the eardrum and ossicular (hearing bone) chain. Additionally, pulsatile tinnitus<\/a>, which is the sensation of hearing one\u2019s pulse, occurs frequently due to the vascular nature of these tumors. Very large glomus tympanicum tumors may cause vertigo (feeling that the world around you is spinning when you are not moving), facial paralysis and sensorineural hearing loss<\/a>. Rarely, hormones may be manufactured by the tumor, which cause rapid heartbeat, headaches, flushing, excessive sweating and diarrhea. Smaller glomus tympanicum tumors may not produce any symptoms but can be found incidentally as reddish mass lesions under the eardrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glomus tympanicum tumors are first valuated in the office by a thorough (binocular) microscope examination of the ear. Due to the highly vascular nature of the tumor, a reddish mass is typically observed behind the eardrum. Imaging studies such as temporal bone fine-cut CT scans, MRI scans with IAC protocol, and CT or MR angiography are indicated. Treatment 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 troublesome symptoms. Surgical removal ranges from relatively simple transcanal approaches to much more complex mastoid and petrous operations depending on the size, location of the tumor and extent of other structures involved. In many cases, hearing and facial nerve function can be preserved with surgery; however, this is not always the case. Radiation therapy can also be considered either alone or in combination with surgery since this treatment may halt the growth of the tumor by cutting off its blood supply; however, radiation alone does not remove the tumor and lifelong surveillance imaging is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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