Procedures
The UPMC Center for Skull Base Surgery is a multidisciplinary treatment team focused on the care of patients with tumors in the nose, sinuses, eyes, pituitary, and at the base of the skull. When surgery is necessary it can often be accomplished with minimally invasive techniques. The physicians on this team have pioneered endoscopic transnasal removal of a variety of tumors.
Expanded Endonasal Approach
The surgeons of the Center for Skull Base Surgery work closely with surgeons of the Minimally Invasive endoNeurosurgery Center to perform the Expanded Endonasal Approach (EEA). EEA is a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique refined at UPMC that gives surgeons access to the base of the skull, central brain, and top of the spinal cord by operating through the nose and nasal sinuses.
EEA treats once “inoperable” or hard-to-reach tumors, blood vessel problems, and other conditions in critical areas of the brain, skull base, and spine, leaving few scars and fewer lingering side-effects than traditional craniofacial surgery. Patients can often be discharged within two days. Some procedures require only overnight stays.
This procedure has been highlighted on both regional and national media outlets. Watch as our surgeons explain the procedure on NBC's Today Show or read about it in Pittsburgh Magazine.
Learn more about EEA and the Minimally Invasive endoNeurosurgery Center.