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.

Physicians

Craig A. Buchman, MD, FACS

Craig A. Buchman, MD, FACS

Lindburg Professor and Chair
Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

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Nedim Durakovic, MD

Nedim Durakovic, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery;

Director, Dizziness and Balance Center

Nyssa Fox Farrell, MD

Nyssa Fox Farrell, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

R. Alex Harbison, MD, MS

R. Alex Harbison, MD, MS

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Jacques A. Herzog, MD

Jacques A. Herzog, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery;
Chief, Division of Otology/Neurotology

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Patrik Pipkorn, MD

Patrik Pipkorn, MD

Associate Professor
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Pipkorn’s areas of clinical interest include head and neck benign and malignant lesions, thyroid tumors, parathyroid, sinonasal benign and malignant tumors, and reconstruction of head and neck defects.

Sidharth V. Puram, MD, PhD

Sidharth V. Puram, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Division Chief, Head & Neck Surgery

Matthew L. Rohlfing, MD

Matthew L. Rohlfing, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Lauren Roland, MD, MSCI

Lauren Roland, MD, MSCI

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Roland is a specialist in rhinology and anterior skull base disease, including chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, fungal sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and CSF leaks.

John S. Schneider, MD, MA, FACS

John S. Schneider, MD, MA, FACS

Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Chief, Division of Rhinology

Matthew A. Shew, MD

Matthew A. Shew, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

Cameron C.  Wick, MD

Cameron C. Wick, MD

Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery

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