Nasal passages: Endoscopic doorway to the brain
By Graciela Gutierrez
Recently science has found that nasal passages can be a doorway to the brain.
Mas Takashima, M.D., assistant professor of otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine is using new special cameras and tools to remove brain tumors called pituitary adenomas and meningiomas through the nose. These types of tumors are typically located near the base of the skull, just above the nose.
"In the past, removing these tumors involved splitting the skull and actually moving the brain to get to them," Takashima said. "Technology is allowing us to find minimally invasive alternatives, and since a portion of the brain sits along the roof of the nose, the nose may be the easiest route to certain tumors."
The procedure involves an endoscope, a thin, tube-like camera that is fed through the nose and sinuses. Endoscopic tools are used to drill through the thin bone in the nose and sinuses until the tumor is exposed. The tumor is then cut and suctioned out.
Less risk, quicker recovery
"Once we get to the tumor, the brain is exposed, so this is still a very sensitive procedure," Takashima said. "But compared to the alternative, there's less of a risk, and recovery time is significantly faster."
"Removing brain tumors endoscopically is still fairly new," Takashima said. "Right now we are also using it as a diagnostic procedure for other tumors."
