Endoscopic Brain & Skull Base Tumorclival Tumor

Clival chordomas are midline skull base tumours that are locally invasive. Chordomas are slow-growing, locally invasive malignant tumours that emerge from the rudimentary notochord's remains. They are most abundant in the clivus (base of the skull) and lower spine.

Clival chordomas are best treated with surgical excision that is as safe as possible, followed by targeted radiation. The majority of clival chordomas may be removed via an endoscopic endonasal technique through the nose. Multiple keyhole surgeries, including the retrosigmoid and eyebrow craniotomy techniques, are sometimes required for these malignancies.

Disease Overview:

Skull Base Tumors

Skull base tumours are most commonly seen inside the skull, however they can sometimes appear on the exterior. They can start as a primary tumour in the base of the skull or spread there from another part of the body as a metastatic brain tumour. Tumor types and locations inside the skull base are used to classify skull base tumours.

Disease Signs and Symptoms:

The following are the signs and symptoms of a skull base tumour:

• Headaches.
• Breathing problems.
• Changed olfactory perception.
• Vision that is hazy or double.
• Having difficulty swallowing.
• Hearing loss is a common problem.

Disease Causes:

Although the specific aetiology of skull base tumours is unknown, some hereditary factors and chemical exposure may raise the risk. Radiation to the head, brain, or neck can potentially be dangerous.

Disease Diagnosis:

There are various processes involved in determining whether or not a patient has a skull base tumour. An overall physical exam, neurological testing, and imaging studies to check within the skull and in or around the brain are all part of the procedure.

Physical Examination

Doctors will do a physical examination to better understand a patient's symptoms and medical history before determining whether or not they have a skull base tumour.

Examine your nervous system

Doctors will also do neurological examinations to understand more about any changes in your body.

Vision, reflexes, coordination, memory, and cognition will all be tested if an anterior skull base tumour is suspected.

We will assess your hearing, balance, and coordination if you have lateral skull base tumours.

Imaging

Doctors use specialised testing to determine where and whether a skull base tumour exists. Physicians can use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a bone scan, positron emission tomography (PET), or computed tomography to examine into the skull and brain (CT or CAT scan).

The photos that a skull base surgeon may want will be reviewed by a neuroradiologist who specialises in issues of the head, neck, brain, and spine. Because many cancers have distinct visual features, imaging may frequently be used to determine a tumor's kind before surgery.

Biopsy

Doctors may perform a biopsy — the excision of a tiny sample of tissue — to confirm a diagnosis of a skull base tumour in some situations. This might happen prior to surgery. Tumors are always eliminated when they have been removed.

Disease Treatment:

The most common therapy for skull base tumours is transsphenoidal surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure. This technique has a rapid recovery time and no scars. It's possible that you'll require radiation therapy as well.