Introduction

Abstract

The anatomy of the jugular foramen (JF) region is complex and contains important neurovascular and bony structures. Tumors originating in the JF are rare skull base lesions, mostly benign, deeply located, very often hypervascular, and present diagnostic and management difficulties. Paragangliomas are the most frequent JF lesions, followed by schwannomas and meningiomas. In spite of all developments in diagnostics, skull base surgery and interventional neuroradiology management of these tumors remains challenging. The multidisciplinary management of these lesions by neurosurgeons, ENT-surgeons, and interventional neuroradiologist offers a better understanding of diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, and treatment of these patients. This book contains 14 chapters describing historical aspects, epidemiology, genetics, surgical anatomy, clinical and radiological diagnosis, evidence based treatments, indications and contra-indications for surgery, surgical treatment, adjuvant treatments with irradiation and chemotherapy, and the results of a large series of surgical treated patients, videos, and clinical examples.