Objective: To explore the application of endoscopic endonasal approach in surgery for occupation lesions of the skull base.
Methods: Forty-two cases of skull base lesions treated by endoscopic endonasal surgery were analyzed retrospectively. There were 13 malignant tumors in anterior or middle cranial fossa, 8 chordoma, 5 invasive pituitary adenoma, 4 fibrous dysplasia of the sphenoid bone, 3 neurofibroma, 3 fibroangioma, 3 ossifying fibroma and 3 other lesions.
Results: Lesions were removed completely in 36 patients, 2 of them were performed in two stages because of sever bleeding, and subtotally in 6 patients. The complications included 1 acroisa of right eye and 1 cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea. Follow-up ranged 6 to 81 months after the surgery. Five patents were lost of follow-up. Eight patients recurred and 6 patients died.
Conclusions: The endoscopic transnasal surgery is a safe, effective and minimally invasive approach to resect skull base lesions in condition of indications, surgeon's experience and the facilities.