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Introduction
Tumors of the skull base, including craniofacial tumors, generally are benign and slow-growing, and often affect young people. Because they are located in hard-to-reach areas (e.g. underneath the brain or behind the eyes, ears or sinuses), they generally represent such formidable surgical challenges that many surgeons consider such lesions inoperable.

The experience and expertise of our surgeons allows them to perform these delicate operations in ways that achieve as thorough a removal as possible of the tumor, while preserving important nerves and blood vessels, as well as cosmetic appearance, so that patients can return to their normal lives.

The interdisciplinary team of professionals affiliated with the Center for Cranial Base Surgery of Roosevelt Hospital — neurosurgeons, endovascular surgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, rehabilitation medicine specialists and specialized nurses and technicians — are among the world's most accomplished in the treatment and management of base-of-skull tumors. In our facilities, which include a neurosurgical intensive care unit staffed by neurointensivist physicians, patients receive expert care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

The Center is a specialized affiliate of the St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospital's Departments of Neurosurgery, Head and Neck Surgery and Otolaryngology. Among the conditions that can be treated here are:

Tumors

• acoustic neuromas
• chordomas and chondrosaracomas
• meningiomas
• pituitary tumors

Functional disorders

• hemifacial spasms
• trigeminal neuralgias
• glossopharyngeal neuralgias

If you would like assistance in determining which Center for Cranial Base Surgery physician can best help you, please speak to a registered nurse at our Physician Referral Service: 1-800-420-4004.