Skull Base 2009; 19(1): 026-042
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1103126
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Combined Endovascular-Surgical Management of the Internal Carotid Artery in Complex Tympanojugular Paragangliomas

Mario Sanna1 , Paolo Piazza2 , Giuseppe De Donato1 , Roberto Menozzi2 , Maurizio Falcioni1
  • 1Gruppo Otologico Piacenza, Roma, Italy
  • 2Department of Neuroradiology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 January 2009 (online)

ABSTRACT

The infratemporal fossa approach described by Fisch overcame most of the factors that had previously prevented the total removal of tympanojugular paragangliomas (TJP). The remaining problem has been infiltration of the internal carotid artery (ICA) for which there has been no entirely satisfactory solution. At the least, severe encasement risks the possibility of an arterial rupture at surgery. In order to reduce this risk, preoperative endovascular interventions have been employed—mainly balloon occlusion, with or without arterial bypass. Recently, intra-arterial stents to reinforce the encased segment of the ICA have been introduced. This study evaluates our experience with 20 patients affected by TJP in which the ICA has been subjected to preoperative interventions. Ten patients underwent a preoperative balloon occlusion and the other 10 patients had their ICAs reinforced with stents. Problems that arose during embolization necessitated that one patient with a stent required ligation of their ICA. No other problems were encountered during endovascular treatment or surgical resection. In one patient with a stent, it was impossible to establish a cleavage plane between their recurrent tumour and the ICA. These early results are encouraging and suggest that intra-arterial stents have a part to play in the surgical management of large TJPs.

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Mario SannaM.D. 

Gruppo Otologico Piacenza, Via Emmanueli 42

29100 Piacenza, Italy

Email: mario.sanna@gruppootologico.it

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