Skull Base Tumors - Mayo Clinic

At Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, you will have the benefit of a team of experts in the accurate diagnosis and innovative treatment of skull base tumors. As a specialized referral center, we see a large number of people previously treated elsewhere, and we receive many requests for second opinions.

Our specialists are highly skilled in complex surgeries and reoperations for pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, schwannomas, and skull base malignant tumors.

Mayo Clinic is using new photon-counting-detector CT imaging technology that enables our doctors to detect structures that are detectable with conventional CT and MRI.

In addition to the 7-tesla MRI, Mayo Clinic is at the forefront of using photon-counting-detector CT technology. This innovative technology represents a major milestone in CT imaging, providing clearer and more detailed images than ever before. With photon-counting detectors, we can now see structures that were previously too small to detect with conventional CT scanners. This means we can provide more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for our patients.

Mayo Clinic installed the world's first photon-counting scanner in 2014. Our doctors are at the forefront of using this technology to provide more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for our patients.

Our surgeons are innovators in open and endoscopic skull base surgery. Our approaches and technologies include:

Multidisciplinary program for vestibular schwannoma surgery, with dedicated neurotologists and skull base neurosurgeons and radiosurgery experts. Neurosurgeons and ENT surgeons at Mayo Clinic frequently work together to these treat skull base tumors because of the complex anatomy and surgical approaches involved.
NF2 Comprehensive Integrated clinic with geneticists, imaging, neuro-oncology, medical oncology, ENT, Neurosurgery focusing on the patient and maintaining quality of life.
Comprehensive pituitary clinic with integrated care seeing endocrine, neurosurgery and ENT at the same time. Offering advanced minimally invasive endoscopic options, focused radiation, and cutting surgical techniques as well as medicine to cure and connect you with superior outcomes.
World leaders in complicated skull base reconstruction with anatomical rotational flaps or free tissue transfer and reconstruction with our ENT and plastic surgery colleagues.
State-of-the-art endoscopic skull base surgery by specialists with world renowned expertise in surgery for pituitary tumors, craniophryngiomas, meningiomas, chordomas and other selected skull base tumors.

A 3D printing center and skull base surgery simulation lab to plan and practice highly complex surgeries in advance.
Multidisciplinary program for meningiomas, with dedicated neuro-oncologists and skull base neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists.

At Mayo Clinic, your team will include all the specialists you need. Experts in neurosurgery, ENT (ear, nose, throat), endocrinology, radiation oncology, neuro-oncology, and more all work together.

Our team approach uniquely positions us to meet your needs. For example, our ENT and endocrinology experts are closely involved in treatment for pituitary tumors. As a result, most of our pituitary patients are discharged on the first postoperative day and then followed as outpatient, compared to the national average of a 3-day hospital stay.

We also work to optimize your schedule to avoid multiple trips and make the experience as convenient as possible for you.

Innovative treatment for skull base tumors at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota

Care plans and treatment options personalized to you.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Pituitary Tumor Care

7-Tesla MRI

State-of-the-art diagnosis.

Innovative surgical approaches.

Nationally recognized for expertise.

Clinical trials are available.

A team of experts focused on you.

Contact us to request an appointment.