Skull Base Condition Program

Expert Care for Skull Base Tumors & Disorders

The evaluation and treatment of skull base disorders demand the expertise of a highly specialized team. These tumors and disorders affect the area between the sinuses, ear and brain. Skull base conditions are highly complex to treat, requiring multidisciplinary planning and the highest level of technical skill to preserve the important nerves and blood vessels in this area.

Wellstar is one of a few health systems in Georgia offering a multidisciplinary skull base program. Wellstar’s expert care team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians who collaborate to provide personalized care. When a patient requires skull base surgery, the surgery is performed by a team of our specialists. Our multidisciplinary team includes:

• Neurosurgeons with advanced training in protecting the spinal cord, nerves and brain
• Radiation oncologists who deliver state-of-the-art radiation therapy
• Otolaryngologists, ENT surgeons specializing in head and neck cancer
• Neurotologists, ENT surgeons specializing in disorders of the ear and lateral skull base
• Rhinologists-endoscopic skull base surgeons, ENT surgeons specializing in skull base surgery through the nose — in appropriate cases, they can access a tumor without invasive approaches
• Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons who perform facial reanimation and complex craniofacial reconstruction
• Neuroradiologists who aid in the diagnosis of skull base conditions through the interpretation of specialized imaging exams
• Neurologists who aid in diagnosing and managing brain, spine and nervous system conditions
• Medical oncologists who manage cancerous brain and head and neck tumors with systemic therapies, targeted therapies and immunotherapy
• Pathologists who aid in the diagnosis and management of brain, spine and nervous system conditions

Skull base condition signs & symptoms

Signs of skull base conditions can vary. Symptoms can include hearing loss, nasal obstruction, loss of smell, changes in vision or other eye problems, headaches, facial pain, trouble swallowing, changes in voice, seizures and dizziness.