Jefferson Minimally Invasive Cranial Base Surgery & Endoscopic Neurosurgery Center

Receiving the diagnosis of a brain tumor is life changing. However, today there are minimally invasive procedures that greatly improve the quality of care. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, turn to the highly respected and internationally recognized clinicians, therapists and nurses of the Jefferson Minimally Invasive Cranial Base Surgery Center.

The Center offers a new treatment alternative for people with benign and malignant brain tumors, many of which were previously inaccessible or required extensive and lengthy operations. This minimally invasive procedure uses endoscopic navigation through the nose and nasal sinuses to gain access to the cranial base and brain.

In conjunction with new micro-instrumentation and enhanced computer navigation, this leading-edge technique provides Jefferson surgeons with better visualization and improved access to the tumor, resulting in improved resections, the preservation of neurological structures and function, reduced surgical complication rates and reduced postoperative morbidity. Patients can also expect less postoperative discomfort, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

The Center features three dedicated state-of-the-art endoscopic suites, each equipped with the most advanced optics and computer navigation systems. Jefferson surgeons are largely responsible for development of the micro-instrumentation specific to endoscopic neurosurgery.

Treatment also includes stereotactic-focused radiation surgery, including a Gamma Knife unit and a linear accelerator that supports state-of-the-art shaped beam surgery, which provides beams of radiation programmed to target the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Jefferson is the only hospital in the Delaware Valley to offer this capability.

Treatments may involve a single session or multiple sessions, depending on the location and nature of the tumor.

Our Center physicians are also involved in advancing the field in skull base reconstruction surgical techniques and the development of innovative robotic surgical technology.

This is a joint Center with the Department of Neurological Surgery.

• Marc R. Rosen, MD (Oto)
  Center, Co-Director
• James Evans, MD (Neurosurgery)
  Center, Co-Director
• Christopher Farrell, MD (Neurosurgery)
• Gurston Nyquist, MD (Oto)
• Mindy Rabinowitz, MD (Oto)
• Elina Toskala, MD, PhD, MBA (Oto)