What is Skull Base Surgery?
The base of the skull is very complex because every nerve in the body passes through it to carry signals to the brain. There are also large vessels that carry blood to and from the brain in this small area. To navigate this area, skull base surgery is performed as a specialized type of surgery specifically near the base of the skull, the underside of the brain, and the upper vertebrae of the spinal column.
At California Sinus Centers, our ENT specialists are dedicated to providing the very best care at our clinics in the Bay Area. With four convenient locations throughout Northern California, including Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, Sonoma and Pleasanton, our providers offer specialized care tailored to your needs.
How is Skull Base Surgery Performed?
Skull base surgeons use special instruments inserted through the skull’s natural openings to operate rather than accessing the brain through a surgical opening of the skull.
This means California Sinus Centers will gain access through your nose, mouth, or above your eyes.
Common skull base surgery approaches include:
- Trans-nasal: entering through the nostrils
- Trans-oral: entering through the mouth
- Supra-orbital: entering just above the eyebrow through a small opening in the skull
Surgeons may also enter through the ear, low on the temple beneath the brain, around the eye, or from the neck.
How is it Different from Traditional Skull Surgery?
Traditional techniques often require significant force to retract the brain out of the way. This can sometimes lead to damage of normal brain tissue.
For example, if you have a tumor that is at the skull base, it can be difficult during surgery to access the tumor to remove it.
Skull base surgery is approaching the tumor from underneath or from the side by removing specific areas of the skull base bone. This allows them to expose the tumor with little brain retraction.
The overall goal of this minimally-invasive skull surgery is to maximize tumor removal while preserving your brain and neurological function as much as possible.
What is Skull Base Surgery Used for?
Skull base surgery can be used for:
- Tumors
- Cysts
- Growths
- Pituitary tumors or growths such as Craniopharyngiomas
- Noncancerous tumors or Meningiomas
- Bone tumors found at the base of the skull or Chordomas
- Cerebral aneurysms
- Repairing malformations in arteries and veins, Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
- Relieving pain on one side of the face known as Trigeminal neuralgia
- Brain growth and skull shape issues such as Craniosynostosis
Benefits of Skull Base Surgery
Prior to the development of skull base surgery it was necessary to remove relatively large portions of the skull in order to gain entry into the necessary area.
The benefits of skull base surgery include:
- less risk of infection
- less damage to cerebral structures and nerves
- less risk of disfigurement
- shorter recovery time
Do I Need Skull Base Surgery?
Not all skull base conditions require surgery. You can talk to California Sinus Centers to see if skull base surgery is the right option for you.
In some cases, skull base tumors are benign or noninvasive. They may, however, start to put pressure on major nerves if they grow. Often, skull base surgery can help remove these types of tumors to help preserve nerve function.
Skull base surgery is also a viable option if you have a malignant cancer growth that needs to be removed.
There are several conditions where skull base surgery is a probable option but talk to California Sinus Centers to see if it is the best option for your situation.
Who Performs Skull Base Surgery?
Because this area of the body is so significant with complex structures, surgery at this location may require multiple providers or surgeons.
This will allow you to feel confident in your care team and get the best possible outcomes. Surgery at the skull base is often a multi-disciplinary approach.
Depending on your needs and diagnosis, your team may include:
- otolaryngologist
- neurosurgeon
- radiation oncologist
- maxillofacial surgeon
- plastic and reconstructive surgeon
- pediatric specialist if surgery involves children
This team of physicians will have your best interest in mind. Their combined expertise makes skull base surgery an optimal solution for many conditions in this area of the body.
Give us a Call
If you are contemplating skull base surgery and would like to learn more, our team can give you the answers you need. California Sinus Centers are the top in their field, with special training and expertise in this specialty surgery. Get the help you need today from a team you trust.