What Skull-based Conditions May Require Surgery?

Skull-base conditions are very rare. If a patient has a skull-base condition, it is important that they find a skull-base team who is familiar with skull-base surgery.

Pituitary tumors and sinus tumors are common skull base conditions that can be treated through the nose. Orbital tumors (located close to the eye) are also common. Many spinal fluid leakages (with fluid that drips from the nose) can be repaired via the nostrils. Acoustic neuritis, petrous and apex lesions, aneurysms, meningiomas, and other skull base conditions are all common.

These conditions can often be characterized by specific symptoms such as loss of sight, nosebleeds, and facial numbness. These symptoms are most commonly gradual and can be diagnosed by an ENT specialist or neurosurgeon using a CT scanner and MRI. Other tests may be done, such as hearing tests, visual field testing, and arterial studies.

What is the Recovery After Skull-based Surgery?

It can take 4 to 8 weeks to recover from surgery. Your incisions may be sore for about 5 days after surgery. Your scalp may swell with fluid. You may also have numbness and shooting pains near your wound. Your Century ENT surgeon will discuss more detailed follow-up care with you.