Mount Sinai neurotologists are experts in endoscopic ear surgery, a minimally invasive approach that is only performed in a small number of centers, and in glomus tumors, which are very vascular and bloody, benign tumors of the middle ear and jugular bulb. Glomus tumors are a subset of what are known as paragangliomas, which may be located throughout the head and neck (glomus jugulare, carotid body tumors, glomus vagale) as well as other parts of the body (pheochromocytoma). While typically benign, they may cause hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus, and difficulty swallowing/speaking depending on their size and where they are located. This particular case is that of a glomus tympanicum, a smaller variant that is confined to behind the ear drum. Glomus tympanicum tumors are typically surgically removed, while other types may undergo surgery, radiation, observation, or other therapy.

Mount Sinai neurotologists have the most experience of any center in removing glomus tympanicum tumors using minimally invasive, endoscopic techniques, and recently partnered with an international panel of experts to write guidelines for patients with head and neck paragangliomas.

For more information, go to:
https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/center-hearing-balance/conditions/glomus-tumors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37011647/

 

Featured Faculty 

George Wanna, MD, FACS
Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai and Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Chief, Division of Otology-Neurotology
Mount Sinai Health System
Professor of Otolaryngology, and Neurosurgery
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Maura K. Cosetti, MD
Director, Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEE) of Mount Sinai
Director, Cochlear Implant Program
Mount Sinai Health System

Enrique R. Perez, MD, MBA
Director of Otology-Neurotology
The Mount Sinai Hospital
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
Mount Sinai Health System

Zachary G. Schwam, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System