Glomus Tumor�@

Tumor Size

- It is usually, but not always, possible to determine before surgery whether the tumor is small, medium, or large. The likelihood and severity of complications is directly related to the size and difficulty in tumor removal.

Hearing Loss

- The larger the tumor the more likely one is to experience further loss of hearing following sugery. On occasion, there is a total loss of hearing in the operated ear.

Tinnitus

(head noise) - Should the hearing be worse following surgery, tinnitus will usually be more pronounced and of a different character.

Taste Disturbance and Mouth Dryness

may occur following surgery. In some cases, these disturbances may be prolonged.

Facial Paralysis

- At times it is necessary to move the facial nerve from its canal, in which a temporary paralysis is common. Rarely, the tumor involves the facial nerve and it may be necessary to excise a portin of the nerve in oreder to remove the tumor. In this case, a skni sensation nerve is removed from the upper part of the neck to replace the facial nerve. paralysis of the face under these circumstances lasts from six months to a year and there would be permanent residual weakness. Eye complications, requiring treatment by a specialist, could develop.

Other Cranial Nerve Weakness

- Glomus tumors may involve other nerves of the head and neck. In order to remove the tumor, temporary or permanent injury to these nerves might result. In this case, there could be decreased sensation in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, weakness of the voice and shoulder, or paralysis of the muscles of the tongue on the sides of surgery. Difficulty speaking may also occur and might well be permanent.

Brain Complications

- Rarely, in the large tumor case, it is necessary to ligate(tie) the major artery to the brain(carotid artery) on the side of the tumor. Were this necessary, paralysis of the opposite side of the body(arm and leg) would be expected to occur in over 25% of the cases, and the paralysis would be permanent.

Spinal Fluid Leak

- At times this operation results in a temporary leak of cerebrospinal fluid(fluid surrounding the brain). When this occurs, the leak is always closed prior to the completion of surgery. On occasion, however, this leak reopens and further surgery imay be necessary to stop it.

Infection

is uncommon following surgery. Should it develop, however, it could lead to meningitis, an infection in the fluid and tissues surrounding the brain, and would require prolonged hospital treatment. Bladder and lung infections may occur, but they are rare.

Hematoma

(collection of blood) develops in a small percentage of cases, prolonging hospitalization and healing. Reoperation may be necessary to remove the clot if this complication occurs.

Transfusion Reaction

- It is often necessary to administer blood transfusions during glomus tumor surgery. Fortunately, immediate adverse reactions to transfusion are rare. A potential late complication of a blood transfusion would be a viral infection such as hepatitis. When this complication occurs, medical treatment and possibly hospitalization would be necessary. It is possible for patients to donate their own blood for use during their own surgery. This should be discussed with your surgeon well in advance of your surgery.

General Anesthesia Complications

- Anesthetic risks are very rare but can be serious. You may discuss these with the anesthesiologist if desired.