Endoscopically Assisted Anterior Cranial Skull Base Resection of Sinonasal Tumors

TLDR

Traditional anterior craniofacial resection has been the standard for sinonasal tumors involving the skull base, but endoscopic techniques now allow intranasal access without external incisions while still enabling en bloc resection. The authors report initial experience using an endoscopic approach for the otolaryngic portion of skull base resections and discuss lesion types favorable to this technique and associated technical issues. The endoscopic approach was used to perform the otolaryngic portion of skull base resections. Although not a replacement for traditional anterior craniofacial resection, this endoscopic method is an important adjunct in the skull base surgeon's armamentarium.

Abstract

The traditional approach to sinonasal tumors involving the base of skull has been the anterior craniofacial resection. Endoscopic techniques have created the potential to approach the intranasal aspect of skull base lesions without external incisions and still develop an en bloc resection when removed. We report our initial experience with skull base neoplasms in which the otolaryngic portion of the standard resection was accomplished instead through an endoscopic approach. The nature of lesions favorable for this approach and associated technical issues are discussed. Although we do not consider this approach a replacement for the traditional anterior craniofacial resection, it is an important adjunct in the skull base surgeon's armamentarium.