At Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University, a multidisciplinary team of physicians from otolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology coordinates the care of patients with all types of skull base tumors. This team uses specialized techniques to provide the safest, least invasive and most definitive treatment available.
Understanding Skull Base Surgery
The skull base is the region of the skull beneath the brain. Tumors in this area are often highly complex because of the complicated anatomy at the skull base.
Skull base surgery is a surgical technique that allows for removal of tumors such as:
- Meningiomas
- Acoustic neuromas
- Schwannomas
- Chordomas
- Chondrosarcomas
- Glomus tumors
- Metastases
- Craniofacial malignancies
Our skull base team uses the most advanced treatment techniques including computerized surgical navigation, endoscopy, intraoperative MRI, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and radiation/chemotherapy. The team meets on a regular basis to customize the management of patients with tumors affecting the skull base.