[Temporal paragangliomas. A 12-year experience].

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to perform a retrospective analysis of patients with jugulotympanic paragangliomas. We present the results according to the surgical approach applied in each case. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study presents the findings in 21 patients with jugulotympanic paragangliomas who were observed and treated in our department over a 12-year period (1999 to 2011). We performed a general otolaryngology exam, systemic evaluation and radiological exam. Surgical treatment was performed in 20 cases out of 21. In 1 case, treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery was carried out. RESULTS The surgical approaches were: endaural, retroauricular transcanal, radical or modified mastoidectomy through facial recess and infratemporal fossa approach. Preoperative embolization was used in 12 cases. In all cases the diagnosis of paraganglioma was confirmed. The most frequent postoperative complications found were transitory palsy of the facial nerve, sensorineural hearing loss, imbalance, paralysis of the cranial nerves IX and XI and salivary fistula. No recurrences were found after 12 years of follow-up. One case of persistence was found in the case treated with radiosurgery. CONCLUSIONS In our series surgery was found to be the elective therapy for patients with paraganglioma, with no recurrences after 12 years of follow-up. Preoperative embolization decreases surgery time and intraoperative bleeding. Stereotactic Radiotherapy cannot eliminate the tumour..