Tumors at the base of the skull sit underneath the brain and are difficult to reach. Skull base tumors generally do not show symptoms until they become large enough to impair neurological functions, when they must be removed. Surgery can place significant stress on the brain as it is lifted out of the way to remove the tumor beneath it.
Skull base surgical procedures are designed to reduce risk to the brain by removing bones at the base of the skull, approaching the tumor from underneath. This can be done several ways, including traversing the bone containing the ear, low on the temple beneath the brain, around the eye, through the nose or from the neck, all minimally invasive and designed to give the surgeon the maximum in functionality and removal capability.
