Skull Base

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The Center provides expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors, vascular lesions, and trauma at the base of the brain. The emergence of the concept of an interdisciplinary surgical team, coupled with a better understanding of the complexities of cranial base anatomy, has led to new surgical techniques

Major advances include diagnostic and interventional radiology of this region, intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring, microsurgery, and anesthesiology related to surgery on the brain and on nerves and blood vessels associated with cranial base lesions. In addition, the development of the technique of microvascular free tissue transfer and its application to reconstruction of the cranial base now allows surgeons to treat previously inoperable lesions while restoring a patient's appearance and ability to speak and swallow.

With a rehabilitation team composed of specialists in the areas of neurology, electrophysiology, medical oncology, pathology, radiation oncology, audiology, and speech and swallowing therapy, the Center offers comprehensive care to patients from all parts of the world who present with cranial base lesions.

Conditions We Treat

The Center provides expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of:

- Skull base tumors
- Vascular lesion of the skull base
- Malignant sinonasal tumors
- Skull base meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Chordoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Orbital tumors
- Cerebrospinal leak

Treatment Options

Tumors of the skull base may require surgery, radiation, or a combination of therapy. In addition to a world renown surgical team, The Mount Sinai Hospital offers expertise in highly selective radiation therapy that can be used to treat radiosensitive tumors of the skull base.

Endoscopic Surgery of the Skull Base

The skull base surgery team is well recognized for its expertise in endoscopic surgery. Transnasal endoscopic microsurgery is a technique where surgeons work through the nose using endoscopic telescopes to remove tumors of the skull base and the base of the brain without the need for facial incisions or a craniotomy. This prevents brain retraction and the significant side effects associated with open procedures. Patients are often discharged without incisions or sutures.

Our Team

Members of the surgical staff include specialists in otolaryngology, neurosurgery, craniofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, otology and neuro-otology, and microvascular reconstructive surgery. Skull base or cranial base surgery is a surgical subspecialty derived from the parent disciplines of neurosurgery and otolaryngology.

Eric M. Genden, M.D., FACS
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology
Associate Professor, Head and Neck Surgery and Immunobiology
Director, Division of Head and Neck Oncology

Joshua Bederson, M.D.
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery
Director, Cerebrovascular Surgery
Co-Director, The Clinical Program for Cerebrovascular Disorders
Co-Director, Neurosurgery/Neurology Intensive Care Unit
Co-Director, The Clinical Center for Cranial Base Surgery

William Lawson, M.D., D.D.S.
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology

Eric E. Smouha, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology

Kalmon D. Post, M.D.
Professor & Chair, Department of Neurosurgery
Professor, Department of Oncological Sciences

The Mount Sinai Skull Base Surgery Center
5 East 98th Street, 8th floor
New York, NY 10029

For information or an appointment, call:

212-241-9410

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