Doctors use endonasal route to remove brain tumours

Madurai: Meenakshi Super Specialty Hospital in Madurai, has employed a neuroendoscopic technique known as the extended endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to remove tumours located beneath the skull without the need for open surgery.Dr K Selvamuthukumaran, senior consultant and head of department of neurosurgery, said that three women, two aged around 40 years and one aged 60, approached the hospital over the past three months with progressive loss of vision. "All three patients presented with visual deterioration, including blurred vision and frontal headaches. After detailed evaluation and advanced imaging, we found that each developed a tumour compressing the optic nerves," he said.Using the EEA technique, the surgical team removed the tumour through the nasal passage with the aid of a high-definition endoscope, thereby avoiding external scars and reducing recovery time. "All three patients made a smooth recovery and were discharged within a week," he added.Explaining the significance of the approach, Dr K Senthil Kumar, senior consultant neurosurgeon, said, "Traditionally, tumours beneath the anterior skull base are removed through open-skull procedures, which involve removing part of the skull and retracting brain tissue. The EEA completely eliminates these risks, offering a safer, minimally invasive alternative."