Comprehensive Skull Base Program

The UAB Comprehensive Skull Base Program provides the latest and most advanced care for patients with tumors or defects in the skull base, sinuses, and brain. We offer the full range of treatment options, from open surgery to minimally invasive procedures such as mini-craniotomy, eyebrow approaches, and extended endoscopic endonasal approaches, by which tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses. We also offer noninvasive treatment options such as stereotactic radiosurgery, a form of precisely focused radiation. Additionally, UAB is the only center in Alabama and one of only a few in the southeast that offers proton radiotherapy, a specialized form of radiation that minimizes exposure to the rest of the body.

The types of tumors and disorders we treat include:

• Acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma
• Encephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid leaks
• Meningiomas of the skull base
• Chordoma
• Chondrosarcoma of the skull base
• Pituitary tumors
• Tumors of the ear and inner ear
• Cholesterol granuloma
• Sinus tumors
• Glomus tumors/paraganglioma

UAB Medicine is a leader in treating tumors and other disorders of the skull base, and we offer direct scheduling for the convenience of our patients. The UAB departments of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology use a team-based approach to provide excellent results using the least invasive methods possible. UAB is the only medical center in Alabama and one of only a few in the region with a Proton Therapy Center, which precisely targets radiation to tumors of the skull base while reducing the amount of radiation that reaches other areas of the body.

We offer truly comprehensive care, working with other UAB Medicine specialties and clinics, such as Endocrinology and the Pituitary Disorders Clinic. We also work closely with the Department of Radiation Oncology, which is staffed by the region’s most experienced radiation oncologists in treating complex skull base tumors. Patient care is supported by in-house audiologists, vestibular rehabilitation specialists (experts in improving balance and reducing dizziness), and speech and language experts, all of whom are dedicated to helping patients achieve maximum recovery from surgery or other treatments as quickly as possible.

Care Providers

Wink Fisher, III, MD Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Jessica Grayson, MD Otolaryngology, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery Daniel Killeen, MD Neurotology, Otolaryngology Kristen Riley, MD Brain and Tumor Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Oncology Philip Schmalz, MD Neurosurgery Erika Walsh, MD Neurotology, Otolaryngology, Otology Brad Woodworth, MD Otolaryngology, Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Rhinology, Sinus, and Skull Base Surgery

Videos

Resources

• UAB Department of Neurosurgery
• Proton Center
• UAB Department of Otolaryngology

Related Specialties

• Pituitary Tumors