Functional deficits of cranial nerves in patients with jugular foramen lesions.

Lower cranial neuropathies are a leading presenting symptom in patients with tumors involving the jugular foramen. The purpose of this study is to assess acute and chronic functional deficits along with neurologic findings in 31 patients who underwent resection of a tumor involving the jugular foramen. Preoperative nerve dysfunction made intraoperative preservation unlikely, while postoperative lower cranial nerve dysfunction was found to be transient in many patients. Compensation of permanent dysfunction was usually excellent.