Table of Contents

Skull base tumor

Skull base tumors are relatively rare.

see Skull base meningioma.

Schwannomas comprise less than 10% of all primary intracranial tumors. Schwannomas of the vestibular nerve are the most common neoplasms that involve the temporal bone and represent 75% of tumors that occupy the cerebellopontine angle cistern.

Chondrosarcomas comprise approximately 0.1% of all intracranial tumors. Half of these develop at the cranial base.

Chordomas also comprise approximately 0.1% of all intracranial tumors. Forty percent of chordomas develop at the skull base.

Skull base metastases, not including direct extension, occur in 4% of cancer patients.

Types

Anterior cranial fossa

Anterior cranial fossa tumor.

Middle cranial fossa

Middle cranial fossa tumor.

Posterior cranial fossa tumor

Posterior cranial fossa tumor.

Other skull base conditions

Rathke’s cleft cyst

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak

Encephaloceles

Fibrous dysplasia

Surgery

Skull base tumor surgery.