Objective: To examine the microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen and correlate anatomical findings to clinical manifestations of jugular foramen schwannomas concerning tumor origin and location.
Study design: Anatomical analysis of jugular foramen was performed by dissection of 25 cadavers (50 sides). By retrospective review of 9 cases of jugular foramen schwannomas surgically treated, the origin and location of tumor were studied.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Main outcome measures: The anatomical characteristics of jugular foramen, lower cranial nerves, and inferior petrosal sinus were correlated with the origin and growth pattern of jugular foramen schwannomas.
Results: The superior and inferior ganglions of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the superior ganglion of the vagus nerve were located within the jugular foramen. The superior ganglions of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves were located superiorly, whereas the inferior ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve was found inferiorly in relation to the inferior petrosal sinus orifice. In our series of 9 cases of jugular foramen schwannoma, the most common nerve of origin was the vagus nerve, followed by the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Conclusion: The reason for the predilection of the jugular foramen schwannoma for the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves may be associated with the presence of their ganglions within the jugular foramen. Also, the inferior petrosal sinus may act as a barrier to tumor growth, and the location of the ganglion of tumor origination within the jugular foramen in relation to the inferior petrosal sinus may be correlated to the predominant direction of tumor extension.