The surgeons use microsurgical techniques to address pathology at the interface of the base of skull, cranial nerves and brainstem.
A large part of this work is tumours such as meningiomas, schwannomas, chondrosarcomas and epidermoids. We also treat non-neoplastic diseases such as cholesteatoma, cerebrospinal fluid leaks and trigeminal neuralgia. We have close links with Moorfields eye hospital and work in collaboration with their surgeons in the treatment of tumours affecting the orbit and optic nerves. Our research programme is very active with projects in both laboratory and clinical research. We provide training programmes to suit surgeons from first day registrar to subspecialty consultant level.
Our Clinical Practice
Frequently both ENT surgeons and neurosurgeons will operate together. Our surgical programme is complemented by the presence of gamma knife radiosurgery at NHNN and many patients will be treated with gamma knife either as their primary treatment or as an adjunctive treatment following their surgical resection.
Research and Fundraising
The Unit’s research strategy is clinical and patient-centred, with the primary objective being to further improve the outcome and the quality of life of patients, and to advance surgical therapies for patients with skull base disease. The approach is multidisciplinary, multicentre, multinational.
Our research is only made possible through funding by the National Brain Appeal (https://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/). In the coming years, we plan to use further funding to support:
· Open Days for Patient and Public Engagement
· Clinical Research Fellowships for Doctors and Nurses
· Equipment to deliver the best care for our patients
Education
The Unit offers courses for trainees through the Queen Square Simulation Centre. We collaborate closely with UpSurgeOn and engineers within the WEISS centre to provide cutting-edge surgical simulations.
https://www.qssimulationcentre.com
Training and Fellowships
The Unit offers training to both registrars and fellows, including a Royal College of Surgeons Senior Clinical Fellowship.
News
Contact
Whilst we welcome direct referrals most cases will be discussed in our weekly MDT and are allocated to the most suitable surgeon in that forum, so direct referral to the MDT (uclh.referrals.skullbase.mdtmco-ordinator@nhs.net) is encouraged as the most efficient pathway.
Emergency referrals are best directed to the on-call neurosurgeon (07960 664901) or made via the online referral portal referapatient (https://www.referapatient.org).
For other enquiries please contact us through the skull base unit (uclh.referrals.skullbase.mdtmco-ordinator@nhs.net)