Skullbase surgery
Skull base surgery may be done to remove both noncancer and cancer growths, and abnormalities on the underside of the brain, the skull base, or the top few bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column. This is area is hard to see and reach. Because of this, surgery may be done by a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon may insert tools through the nose or mouth. Or they may make a small hole just above the eyebrow and insert the tools there. Sometimes these type of surgeries needs a team of specialists along with Neurosurgeons. These may include an ENT surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons and plastic surgeons.
What is skull base surgery used for?
- Cysts that develop from birth
- Growths caused by infections
- Pituitary tumors
- Meningiomas, noncancer tumors that grow from the tissue that covers the brain and lies between the brain and skull (the meninges)
- Chordomas, a slow-growing bone tumor most often found at the base of the skull
- Trigeminal neuralgia, an intense nerve pain on One side of the face
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak. If not treated it can lead to meningitis
Types of skull base surgery
Skull base surgery can be done in 2 main ways. The preferred method is endoscopic surgery. But open surgery is also a choice. This will depend on the type of growth that needs to be removed and its location:
Endoscopic or minimally invasive skull base surgery. This type of surgery often doesn’t need a large cut (incision). The Neurosurgeon usually goes transnasal( through the nose) to reach the base of skull with the help of an endoscope.
Traditional or open skull base surgery. This type of surgery may require incisions in the facial area and in the skull. Parts of bone may need to be removed so that the growth can be reached and removed. An operating room microscope is often used for this type of surgery.