Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Physical morbidity by surgical approach and tumor location in skull base surgery
John R de Almeida1, Ian J Witterick, Patrick J Gullane
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Background:
Skull base tumors are associated with physical symptoms that vary depending on location and surgical approach.
Methods:
Skull base surgery patients (n = 138) were retrospectively reviewed and physical symptoms were quantified. Patients were divided into 4 groups by surgical approach (open, endoscopic) and tumor location (anterior, central). Multivariate analyses determined odds for symptom development.
Results:
Patients with anterior lesions presented with more nasal symptoms compared to those with central lesions (63% vs 6.8%; p < .001). Those with central lesions presented with more neurologic (41.1% vs 12.3%; p < .001) and endocrine symptoms (19.2% vs 0%; p < .001). Three of 4 groups experienced a reduction in neurologic and visual symptoms after surgery. One group (endoscopic/central) experienced a reduction in endocrine and an increase in nasal symptoms. Anterior tumors (p = .02) and endoscopic approaches (p = .002) predicted increased nasal morbidity.
Conclusion:
Physical morbidity from skull base tumors may vary based on tumor location and surgical approach.
