The skull base is the bony floor on which the brain rests. It contains openings for nerves and blood vessels, and lies close to the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Growths in this area, such as pituitary tumours, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas and tumours of the nerves, are difficult to reach and require a carefully planned approach.

Symptoms vary with location. They may include hearing loss or ringing in one ear, facial numbness or weakness, double vision, loss of vision, hormone imbalance or persistent headache. MRI and CT show the relationship of the growth with nerves and vessels, and hormone tests are done for pituitary conditions.

Surgery may be performed through the skull or through the nose with an endoscope, often together with ENT surgeons. The goal is to remove the growth while protecting hearing, vision, facial movement and swallowing as far as possible.

Skull base surgery services at Apex include:

• Pituitary Tumour Surgery: Removal of tumours of the pituitary gland, often through the nose, to relieve pressure on vision and correct hormone problems, with hormone follow-up afterwards.
• Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: Removal of a slow-growing nerve tumour near the ear nerve, with attention to preserving facial nerve function and, where possible, hearing.
• Meningioma Surgery: Removal of tumours arising from the covering of the brain at the skull base, planned around nearby nerves and vessels.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair: Closure of defects that allow brain fluid to leak through the nose or ear, which can lead to meningitis if untreated.