The widened transcochlear approach to jugular foramen tumors

The authors describe a widened transcochlear approach for large tumors of the jugular foramen with intrapetrous, intracranial, and infratemporal extensions. This approach complements the transcochlear and infratemporal approaches by enlarging the route of access to the region with disinsertion of the sternocleidomastoid, digastric, and stylohyoid muscles, by removing petrous bone in order to displace the facial nerve, by resection of the auditory canal, and by subluxation of the temporomandibular joint and zygomatic process. The use of this approach is described in seven patients.