Overview
Although it’s only a few centimeters wide, the floor of the skull – called the skull base – is very important. Located behind the eyes and nose, and supporting the brain’s weight, the skull base is located near many of the body’s essential structures, including the brain, brainstem, eyes, nose, sinuses, inner ear, and major nerves and blood vessels. A variety of tumors can form in the skull base, some of which are cancer and others of which are noncancerous tumors.
At M Health Fairview’s Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, a highly trained and subspecialized care team, led by neurosurgery and ENT, treats patients with tumors and conditions at the base of the skull. Our multidisciplinary team works to achieve the best outcomes through innovative surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, supported by robust care coordination and rehabilitation services.
Our approach
The Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery brings together a truly multidisciplinary, superspecialized team, led by fellowship-trained neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists (ENT), all of whom focus exclusively on the skull base. The team also includes radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, intensivists, radiologists, medical oncologists, and reconstructive surgeons.
Comprehensive skull base surgical expertise and technology, including:
- Full array of lateral and anterior surgical approaches
- Minimally invasive and open techniques, and/or radiosurgery, tailored to each patient
- Minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal approach
- Intraoperative MRI suites
- Gamma Knife Icon radiosurgery system
- Dedicated neurocritical care team
- Specialized endovascular procedures
- Comprehensive NF2-related schwannomatosis program, including auditory brainstem implants
- Cochlear implants and other hearing-related quality of life services
- Expert rehabilitation team offering subspecialized vestibular therapy and more
Care coordination – Our care coordinators are registered nurses who help you navigate your care across the system. They answer your questions, connect you with other services, coordinate appointments, and help you prepare for and recover from surgery. They are your single point of contact, so you can focus on what’s most important – your treatment and recovery.
We offer coordinated visits for imaging, labs, and consults with the care team, so you don’t have to travel to Minneapolis more than necessary before your surgery. And, when possible, we offer virtual visits with testing arranged locally.
Pre- and Postsurgical rehabilitation – Depending on where a tumor is located, individuals with skull base conditions may have problems with hearing, vision, smell, taste, balance, or facial movement. M Health Fairview offers a skilled team of rehabilitation specialists, as well as balance therapy, audiology, facial nerve clinics, and other services to maximize patients’ quality of life before and after skull base surgery.