Case Report Retro-tympanic pulsatile mass originating from dumb-bell jugular foramen schwannoma

Summary Background. Jugular foramen (JF) tumours are uncommon with paraganglioma, schwannoma and meningioma occurring most commonly in this location. JF schwannoma with extension to the retro-tympanic area has been described only once. Methods. 20-year-old man presented with headache, blurred vision, vomiting and diplopia. Findings. A left pulsatile retro-tympanic mass was seen at otoscopy. A jugular foramen tumour was found on CT and MR images. The intracranial portion of the tumour later diagnosed as schwannoma was removed. Control ENT examination confirmed that the residual retro-tympanic mass was no-longer pulsatile. Conclusions. Jugular foramen schwannomas may also extend into the retro-tympanic area.