Physical morbidity by surgical approach and tumor location in skull base surgery.

Abstract

Skull base tumors are associated with physical symptoms that vary depending on location and surgical approach. Skull base surgery patients (n = 138) were retrospectively reviewed and physical symptoms were quantified. Patients were divided into 4 groups by surgical approach (open, endoscopic) and tumor location (anterior, central). Multivariate analyses determined odds for symptom development. Patients with anterior lesions presented with more nasal symptoms compared to those with central lesions (63% vs 6.8%; p < .001). Those with central lesions presented with more neurologic (41.1% vs 12.3%; p < .001) and endocrine symptoms (19.2% vs 0%; p < .001). Three of 4 groups experienced a reduction in neurologic and visual symptoms after surgery. One group (endoscopic/central) experienced a reduction in endocrine and an increase in nasal symptoms. Anterior tumors (p = .02) and endoscopic approaches (p = .002) predicted increased nasal morbidity. Physical morbidity from skull base tumors may vary based on tumor location and surgical approach.