Radiation or surgery for chemodectoma of the temporal bone: A review of local control and complications

For a presentation to the American College of Surgeons in November 1988, we reviewed the literature concerning primary management of glomus tympanicum and jugulare tumors. From the published series, we examined the local control and treatment-related morbidity for three therapeutic approaches: surgery alone, radiation before or after surgery, and radiation alone. The local control rates were similar, 86%, 90%, and 93%, respectively. Among the surgical series reporting complications, new cranial nerve deficits were common, especially with advanced lesions. Serious sequelae from radiation therapy were rare (2% to 3%). We feel radiation therapy should be considered as primary treatment for glomus jugulare.