Metastases of Glomus Jugulare Tumors

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> THE GLOMUS JUGULARE, a normal structure first described by Guild,³lies in the dome of the jugular bulb just below the floor of the middle ear. The "glomus" is quite small, 0.5 × 0.25 mm, and is composed of nonchromaffin staining paraganglia cells arranged in an organoid pattern. No physiological function has yet been proved, but neoplasms of this tissue are the most frequent type of middle ear tumor¹²and were first described by Rossenwasser.⁹Much confusion as to the nomenclature, clinical signs and symptoms, instance of metastases, and proper therapy of these tumors remains. The purpose of this report is to review the nine cases of glomus tumors with metastases and to record an additional instance of distant spread to the lungs. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Medical literature was reviewed for reports on cases of metastatic glomus tumors. The more interesting features of the nine