30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
For a lot of people in the Royal Oak area, symptoms like recurring sinus infections, chronic nasal congestion, headaches and vision changes can sometimes initially seem as though they’re just minor health concerns.
However, in some cases, these types of dilemmas can point to a much more serious health concern—which is a tumor near the base of your skull or within your sinuses. It’s perfectly understandable how overwhelming these types of diagnoses can be on yourself or a loved one, and this is especially the case when considering the inherent risks associated with undergoing surgery so close to the eyes, brain and major blood vessels.
But the good news is that The Rontal Clinic’s multidisciplinary sinus and skull bone tumor treatments have significantly advanced in recent years. And even though we specialize in a full range of open surgery techniques, we prioritize endoscopic, minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
Below we’ll be detailing what sinus and skull base tumors are, the transition from open surgery to endoscopic techniques, the benefits of minimally invasive treatments, and how we combine cutting-edge technology with our team-based care approach!
The sinuses are technically the air-filled spaces behind the eyes, nose and forehead—whereas the skull base is essentially the place where the floor of the brain supports a wide variety of critical structures like major blood vessels, the eyes and cranial nerves.
Tumors in these areas can be both malignant or benign, and common symptoms include vision changes, nasal congestion, facial numbness and headaches. Because of the sensitive location, sinus and skull base tumors were once considered to be one of the most difficult to surgically treat.
Traditional sinus and skull base tumor surgeries often used to involve large incisions around the skull or face, and although these surgeries are still effective, the operations would sometimes leave behind visible scars, require lengthy recovery times, and even carry infection risks.
This is why recent advancements in endoscopic surgery have truly transformed the entire field. By utilizing tiny cameras and specialized instruments that are inserted through a patient’s nostrils, ENT specialists like our doctors can easily access many tumors without requiring any external incisions.
This approach also provides doctors with impeccable visualizations of very delicate anatomy, all while minimizing the trauma induced to surrounding tissues.
Although there are many benefits that patients undergoing endoscopic sinus and skull base tumor treatments typically receive, the following are some key benefits that Royal Oak families should know about:
· Shorter Recovery Times: Many patients can return home within a matter of a few days after they receive minimally invasive surgery, as opposed to a few weeks when they get traditional open surgery.
· Small Or No External Scars: This lack of visible scars is due to the simple fact that the surgery is performed deep within the patient’s nasal passages.
· Lower Risks Of Complications: These complications with open surgery include blood loss or infection.
· Preservation Of Function: Incredibly delicate structures like the nerves, eyes and brain are always handled with pinpoint precision.
Modern, endoscopic techniques are supported by a wide range of advanced technologies. This includes angled scopes, HD cameras, and state-of-the-art, image-guided navigation systems that our surgeons use to operate with absolute precision. And in some ENT centers across the United States, robotic-assisted tools are now being utilized to improve reach and dexterity in confined spaces.
Equally important is our multidisciplinary, team-based approach to patient care. Because skull base tumors are incredibly difficult to treat and might involve the eyes, sinuses, brain and surrounding structures, we’ll often collaborate together as a team of ENT specialists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and speech therapists to ensure comprehensive care and optimal long-term outcomes.
It’s important to remember that not every patient with a skull base or sinus tumor is actually eligible for minimally invasive, endoscopic surgery.
Factors like a tumor’s type, size and proximity to critical structures will heavily influence each patient’s unique treatment plan. For example, some aggressive or large tumors might still require an open surgery approach; however, as minimally invasive techniques continue to develop, it’s safe to say that more patients are becoming viable candidates for these types of procedures.
There’s absolutely no denying how the future of sinus and skull base tumor treatments are within minimally invasive and personalized medicine approaches.
So, have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with a sinus or skull base tumor? Do you live in the Royal Oak, MI area?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you’ve come to the right ENT website.
Welcome to The Rontal Clinic, a trusted provider of ENT care for the Royal Oak community for over 50 years. Our experts understand just how daunting it can feel after these types of troubling diagnoses, and our continued innovation in endoscopic surgical technology will point you or your loved one toward brighter outcomes and a healthier future.
Reach out to us online or give us a call/text at 248-737-4030 to schedule your next appointment with our experts today and let us know what symptoms you’re currently experiencing!