Skull Base Surgery - Overview

Skull base surgery is done at the base of the skull and at the top of the first few vertebrae on the spinal cord. It is a procedure done to eliminate cancerous or benign growth and brain abnormalities present in the underside of the brain. Since it is a comparatively a difficult area to reach, this surgery is usually an endoscopic skull base surgery rather than an open surgery. Based on the symptoms, the type of growth and its location, your surgeon will advise the best type of surgery.

Skull Base Surgery - Symptoms

A neurosurgeon will recommend skull base surgery procedures for patients suffering from the following medical disease:

  • Cerebral aneurysm
  • If there is a Cysts in the brain from the time of birth
  • An unexpected growth occurring as a result of some infection
  • Chordomas – It is a kind of bone cancer in a malignant form
  • Pituitary Tumors
  • Craniopharyngiomas
  •  A birth defect or disease in the skull known as Craniosynostosis
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia – It is a condition in the trigeminal nerve that causes chronic pain to the patient
  • Arteriovenous malformations – the arteries and veins create an abnormal connection that tends to circumvent the capillary sy
  •  cerebral spinal fluid leakage through the skull bone

Patients with some kind of abnormality in the base of the skull may experience the following symptoms:

  • Dizziness and visual problems
  •  Severe headache
  • Hearing loss or constant ringing in the ears
  • Facial pain and weakness of the face
  • Nasal congestion and constant sinus infections
  • Numbness If you are experiencing any of the above problems, it is best to consult a neurosurgeon at the earliest.

You can get in touch with our doctors at any time and discuss your symptoms and the treatment plan ahead.

Skull Base Surgery - Pre-Procedure

As the skull base cannot be scanned with the naked eye, there are several medical tests and exams that play a crucial role in the prognosis of cranial base surgery. Normally, your doctor will recommend you the following tests before planning your surgery:

  • A series of brain imaging tests that will include CT scans, MRIs, PETs, MRAs to clearly see the inside of the skull and identify the need for invasive or minimally invasive spine surgery.
  • A biopsy is performed to check for any cancerous growth in the area
  • The team of doctor will also conduct a physical exam to test the patient’s balance, cranial nerves for any hampered reactions, dips in muscle activity and a test for blurred vision and hearing ability

Skull Base Surgery - During Procedure

As Skull base surgery is an extensive surgery, the patient is given general anaesthesia for about 24 hours. For additional comfort, the patient is also kept on a heating blanket that is positioned over an alternating pressure air mattress. When the main blood vessel, the petrous carotid is dissected, the patient’s blood pressure is purposely kept abnormally low. In the past, many patients experienced bleeding during surgery and thus, doctors today start fresh frozen plasma and platelet infusions once the patient has gone through 4 units of blood. This has become a standard procedure in modern times and has proved to prevent the potentially fatal intracranial bleeding during and post the surgery.

  • For an endoscopic surgery, the neurosurgeon makes a small cut in the nose through which the extra growth removal is possible. An endoscope, a thin tube with a light in the front is used to guide the surgeon towards the growth.
  • Before completing the surgery, the teams uses MRI scans to make sure that all the growth has been properly removed.
  • In the case of an open surgery, the doctor will make a large incision behind the hairline. In order to clearly reach the growth and eliminate it properly, the surgeon will have to remove parts of the bone from the bottom of the skull.

These are then reattached post the removal of abnormal growth from the skull base. Apart from endoscopic and open surgical procedures, many doctors will also recommend chemo and radiation to patients with cancerous growths in their craniums.

Skull Base Surgery - Post-Procedure

After a skull cancer spine surgery, the patient is moved to the ICU and continuously monitored by their doctor and nurses. At this stage, the patient’s respiratory parameters need to be adequate and the patient should be able to maintain his blood oxygen saturation while being incubated and spontaneously breathing. Normally, patients can go home after 7 to 10 days, once all their reports are fine. However, complete recovery after this kind of surgery might take a few months and therefore, patients must take good care of themselves and avoid heavy activities.

Skull Base Surgery - Risk & Complications

Whether it is an open skull surgery or an endoscopic procedure, skull base surgery is a highly complicated procedure and thus, brings a large amount of risks and complications for the patient. Your doctor will explain all the possible risks of the surgery beforehand so that you can take a well-informed decision. Some common known risks include: • Bleeding inside the skull

  • Cranial nerve loss, also known as nerve loss in the skull
  • Pneumothorax – a medical condition in which air of gas gets accumulated in the cavity between the lungs and chest
  • Inability of blood to clot, medically known as Coagulopathy
  • In rare cases, stroke and sudden death
  • Seizures
  • Rupturing of the carotid arteries
  • Loss of vision
  • Cerebrospinal fluid leakage
  • Cerebral edema – build-up of fluid in the brain
  • Trouble in swallowing
  • Unusual alterations in voice or hoarseness
  • Hypopituitarism, reduction in the secretion of hormones in the pituitary gland

Patients can find excellent treatment and care in India in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bengaluru at economical prices. The neuro-speciality hospitals in India promote excellent surgical facilities along with state-of-the-art infrastructure. If you’re looking for a bone cancer skull surgery or any other kind of skull base procedure, trust our doctors to give you the right and relevant information. Feel free to talk to your doctors on and get assured treatment and positive results for your ailment.

Skull Base Surgery - Doctors

Book An Appointment for Skull Base Surgery

    Get Free Treatment Plan From Top Hospital

    More Info About Skull Base Surgery

    Procedure Cost in USD Stay in Hospital Stay in India Total Days
    Skull Base Surgery 5000-6000 4 days 10 days 15

    TOP DOCTORS BY SPECIALTY

    Book Appointment


      Copyright © 2019 Universal Health Help | All Rights Reserved.

      Designed And Developed By Brandhype