Division of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
The Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, part of the Department of Surgery, offer expert patient care, research programs, and education and training programs.
Skull Base Surgery
Specialized procedures to remove tumors from the skull
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Comprehensive Treatment for Skull Base Disorders
At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), our head and neck surgeons are highly trained in their field. Our team provides pre-treatment workups, evaluation, surgery and post-op care to patients with skull masses and other skull base disorders.
After a medical exam and evaluation, we’ll discuss which treatment options may be best for you. Our team often collaborates with neurosurgeons to manage skull based disorders. Together, our collaboration allows you to get the most comprehensive care to address your needs.
What is Skull Base Surgery?
Skull base surgery removes tumors from the skull. Many skull tumors are benign, but can be hard to treat and remove. Skull base tumor treatment depends on how close the tumor is to vital structures, such as the brain.
Skull Base Disorders
Skull base surgery can be used to treat a variety of disorders:
- Acoustic neuromas: Non-cancerous tumors on the nerve that leads from the inner ear to the brain
- Benign tumors
- Brain defects
- Head and neck cancers
- Meningiomas: Usually non-cancerous tumors that arise from membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
- Nasal sinus tumors
- Paragangliomas: Rare tumors that begin in certain nerve cells in the body
- Pituitary and olfactory tumors
Depending on location, skull base problems can produce these and other subtle symptoms:
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Imbalance
- Nasal problems
- Vision changes
More About Skull Base Surgery
What to Expect Before & After Treatment
After your diagnosis is confirmed, you’ll meet a skull base surgeon and the rest of your care team. We’ll work together and discuss your case to determine the best treatment options for you. You should expect more tests before being treated.
These are some pre-treatment tests you may need:
- Blood vessel imaging
- Hearing and vision tests
- Lab testing, including blood tests
- MRIs and CT scans
- Swallowing tests
Your care team will review your pre-treatment results. We’ll discuss and coordinate an individualized care plan that’s best for you.
The surgical approach we take depends on the location of the tumor within the skull. Skull surgery involves removing certain areas of the skull base to access tumors without compromising brain function. Your medical team can answer all your questions about the approach we recommend.
After the surgery, you’ll recover in the intensive care unit (ICU). From there, you’ll start the rehabilitation process on the surgical unit of the hospital. Most hospital stays range between three and five days, depending on your progress.
You’ll also have several follow-up visits with your skull base treatment team to ensure you recover fully after surgery.
Alternatives to Skull Base Surgery
At BIDMC, we offer several treatments to resolve skull base problems, such as radiation and endovascular embolization.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. It can be used by itself or together with surgery. For radiation therapy, you’ll work with a team of neurosurgeons, oncologists and medical physicists.
We currently offer CyberKnife radiation and external beam radiation therapy.
Endovascular Embolization
Endovascular embolization is a type of surgery used to treat blood vessels in and near the brain. It is an inpatient procedure and typically requires one to two days of recovery in the hospital.
This type of embolization blocks the flow of blood to damaged areas of the brain. Like radiation, it can be a standalone procedure or be used before surgery.
Other Treatment Options
Keeping your individual needs in mind, our team will explain to you the best possible treatment options after assessing the results of your pre-treatment workups. You’ll learn about the treatment options available to you and can share any questions or concerns you may have.
Fortunately, many skull base problems are not cancerous. We may be able to manage your condition with regular visits in our office.
