Skull Base & Endoscopic Surgery

The Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, under the directorship of Dr. James Liu, is one of the few centers in the North America and the only center in New Jersey that provides complete comprehensive treatment of skull base and pituitary tumors using state-of-the-art technological innovations including minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic surgery, keyhole microsurgical skull base approaches, laser surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery. The Center is also oneof the first institutions in the U.S. to use the Dextroscope, a holographic simulator that takes patient specific CT and MR image data and reconstructs it into virtual three-dimensional models for optimizing surgical planning and simulating virtual surgery prior to the actual operation. Tumors that were once thought to be inaccessible and unresectable can now be safely removed at The Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery.

Skull Base Team Approach
Using a multi-disciplinary team approach, we provide our patients the expertise of neurosurgeons, neuro-otologists, rhinologists, head and neck surgeons, plastic surgeons, orbital surgeons, neuro-ophthalmologists, neurointerventionalists, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, neurologists, geneticists, and endocrinologists. Patients also receive compassionate care from specialists in physical therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and rehabilitation. Our skull base team aims to safely remove the skull base tumorwhile preserving neurological function with the best cosmetic outcome. Dr. Liu collaborates with specialists from the Division of Otolaryngology including Dr. Soly Baredes, Dr. Robert Jyung, and Dr. Jean Anderson Eloy..

Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Dr. Liu and Dr. Jean Anderson Eloy, Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, lead the endoscopic skull base team where intracranial tumors located underneath the base of the brain can be safely removed throughthe nostrils using cutting edge endoscopes. This surgical innovation avoids the need to make an incision on the head or face and avoids opening the skull with a craniotomy, resulting in quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays. Large invasive pituitary tumor removed endoscopically through the nose in a patient with decreased vision. Postoperative MRI shows complete removal with improved visual function in the patient. Pituitary gland was preserved.

Acoustic Neuroma Program
The Acoustic Neuroma Program, led by Dr. Liu and Dr. Robert Jyung, Director of Neuro-Otology, is affiliated with The Neurofibromatosis Center of New Jersey and offers comprehensive care for patients with acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) and other skull base tumors. Patients are given state-of-the-art treatments including hearing preservation approaches, keyhole laser microsurgery, endoscopic-assisted surgery, and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Conditions We Treat The Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery provides comprehensive treatment of: