Some brain tumors start at the top of the nose and extend into the cranial cavity. For these types of tumors, neurosurgeons can collaborate to design approaches that are least invasive for the patient – like removing a tumor through the nose (cranial-facial approach). Like must skull-based tumor approaches, neurosurgeons use a multi-disciplinary team to treat the patient. For cranial sinus tumors, neurosurgeons work with head and neck surgeons.

In the past, tumors that extended from the top of the nose into the cranial cavity involved removing the contents of the eye and making incisions on the face. Our approach for cranial sinus tumors is to treat patients first with chemotherapy and target radiation therapy to first shrink the tumor.

After this is complete, the surgeon makes an incision behind the hairline with the cranial-facial approach. Aside from the cosmetic benefits, tumor control is more exact through the cranial-facial approach. It allows the surgeons direct visualization of the tumor. After the surgery, patients go to the Neuro-ICU, the region’s most comprehensive intensive care unit.

Methodist Healthcasts are one-minute videos broadcast on Action News 5 Tuesdays-Thursdays to educate the public about our latest innovations and treatments. 

Watch a short video on a craniofacial tumor removal and hear from Ann O'Leary, a craniofacial surgery patient who received the procedure at Methodist University Hospital. 

Know your treatment options – to find a Methodist Healthcare affiliated physician, please call 1-888-777-5959 or use our physician locator.