State-of-the-art approaches and insightful discussions on challenging topics in skull base surgery

Advances in endoscopic, microsurgical, radiosurgical, and pharmacotherapeutic strategies have revolutionized the treatment of skull base pathologies. Controversies in Skull Base Surgery, edited by Andrew Little and Michael Mooney and authored by esteemed multidisciplinary contributors, focuses on management strategies and treatment options for a wide range of tumors affecting the skull base, while addressing the most urgent and challenging questions facing skull base surgeons today.

Throughout nine sections and 46 chapters, experts describe the treatment of neoplasms such as vestibular schwannoma, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, chordoma, cranial nerve schwannoma, sinonasal malignancies, and others. In many chapters, authors provide instructional case studies and suggestions for future studies to help clarify areas of controversy. This textbook is unique in that it tackles problems typically minimized or ignored by other texts that impact a patient’s quality of life and recovery.

Key Highlights

• Reader-friendly tables feature concise summaries, author pearls, and levels of available evidence
• Pearls and insights on hotly debated issues such as the role of radiosurgery, surgery vs. medical management, radical resection vs. subtotal resection, and proton-beam vs. photon therapy for various pathologic conditions
• Controversies not frequently discussed in depth, including the use of lumbar drains, postoperative antibiotics, and cerebral revascularization in skull base surgery; multidisciplinary collaboration in endoscopic endonasal surgery; skull base reconstruction techniques; and the future of robotics in skull base surgery

This stellar resource will benefit all residents and advanced practice providers who evaluate and treat patients with skull base pathologies, including neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and radiation and medical oncologists.

Contents

۱ Controversies in the Natural History of Acoustic Neuromas
۲ Controversies in Radiosurgery for Acoustic Neuromas: Single-Session Therapy versus Hypofractionated Therapy
۳ Management of Residual Vestibular Schwannoma After Subtotal Resection: Observation, Repeat Surgery, or Radiosurgery?
۴ Treatment Strategies for Small Intracanalicular Vestibular Schwannomas in Young Patients with Good Hearing
۵ Transcranial Approaches Are Preferred for Certain Tuberculum and Olfactory Groove Meningiomas
۶ Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery Is the Best Treatment for Certain Anterior Fossa Skull Base Meningiomas
۷ Controversies in the Management of Petroclival Meningiomas
۸ Does Embolization Have a Role to Play in the Treatment of Skull Base Meningiomas?
۹ The Role of Radiotherapy for Atypical and Anaplastic Meningiomas
۱۰ Emerging Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy for Aggressive Meningiomas
۱۱ The Role of Transsphenoidal Surgery Following Nondiagnostic Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling in Cushing Syndrome
۱۲ Pharmacotherapy Options After Failed Surgery for Cushing Disease
۱۳ Primary Medical Therapy for Acromegaly, Ready for Prime Time?
۱۴ The Role of Radiosurgery for Pituitary Adenomas
۱۵ Exploration of the Cavernous Sinus Is Effective During Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma
۱۶ Surgery versus Medical Management: First-Line Treatment for Pituitary Apoplexy
۱۷ Alternative Treatment Strategies for Atypical and Aggressive Pituitary Adenomas
۱۸ Controversies in Radical Resection versus Subtotal Resection with Radiation in Craniopharyngioma
۱۹ The Role of Open and Endoscopic Approaches to Craniopharyngiomas
۲۰ The Molecular Pathogenesis of Craniopharyngioma and Potential Therapeutic Targets
۲۱ Resection versus Cyst Fenestration: The Best Treatment for Rathke Cleft Cysts
۲۲ Headache in Patients with Rathke Cleft Cysts
۲۳ Rathke Cleft Cyst Surgery: Indications, Outcomes, and Complications
۲۴ Controversies in the Management of Histiocytosis and Xanthogranulomas
۲۵ Surgical Approach Selection for Skull Base Chordoma
۲۶ Chordoma Genetics and Tumor Phenotype Profiles
۲۷ Surgery versus Radiation versus Observation: What Treatment Is Best for Skull Base Paraganglioma?
۲۸ Management of Chondrosarcoma of the Cranial Base
۲۹ Natural History and Treatment Strategies for Posterior Fossa Epidermoids
۳۰ Indications for and Outcomes of Radiosurgery in Trigeminal and Jugular Foramen Schwannomas
۳۱ Challenges of Applying Endoscopic Techniques for Cranial Nerve Schwannomas
۳۲ Management of Cranial Nerve III, IV, and VI Schwannomas
۳۳ Treatment of Facial Pain in Patients with Trigeminal Schwannoma
۳۴ Induction Therapy for Esthesioneuroblastoma
۳۵ Surgical Approach for Esthesioneuroblastoma: Controversy in Approach Selection
۳۶ What Is the Role of Surgery for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma?
۳۷ Proton versus Photon Therapy for Sinonasal Malignancies: Pros and Cons of Each Method
۳۸ Controversies in Skull Base Reconstruction Techniques
۳۹ The Role of Lumbar Drains in Skull Base Surgery
۴۰ The Role of Postoperative Antibiotics in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery
۴۱ Does Otorhinolaryngology Collaboration Improve Outcomes in Endonasal Skull Base Surgery?
۴۲ Controversies in Outcome Measures of Skull Base Surgery
۴۳ To Bypass or Not? The Role of Revascularization in Skull Base Surgery
۴۴ Transcranial versus Endoscopic Repair of Lateral Sphenoid Recess Encephaloceles
۴۵ Cranioplasty Techniques
۴۶ The Future of Robotics in Skull Base Surgery