Tumors that are located at the base of the skull are some of the more challenging ones to resect. Medical institutions often have to refer their patients to Penn Medicine if tumors are located here because they just simply aren't advanced enough to treat it. Our neurosurgeons are able to perform an Endoscopic Endonasal procedure that goes in through the patient's nose and sinuses to remove these specific skull base tumors.
Using a specially designed endoscope for shining a light and transmitting images, this minimally invasive surgery can remove tumors that are up to the size of an apple through the natural nasal passages that we already have in our skull. This means that there is no actual manipulating of the brain or important nerves since the approach for this procedure comes from the front. Our patients won't have to worry about incisions, they'll have a quicker recovery time, and there is a greatly reduced risk of neurological damage.
With the nasal passages being so small, pieces of the tumor are broken off bit by bit and suctioned out until it is completely gone. This procedure can be used to treat tumors both benign and malignant, and with recovery time being so quick the patient can also start radiation therapy or chemotherapy soon after if needed.