Our neuro-oncology specialists are at the forefront of treating patients with brain tumors, delivering treatment options and performing microsurgery for primary tumors such as gliomas and meningiomas; skull base tumors such as craniopharyngiomas; as well as, metastatic tumors and systemic cancer.

Read our Craniotomy procedure profile.

Considered one of the most common surgeries today for treating brain tumors and other brain related conditions, a craniotomy is a small strategically placed window in the skull allowing neurosurgeons access to the brain for tumor removal and surgical repair.

Safety and Efficacy

Emphasizing safety and efficacy, preoperative MRI, CT, or arteriogram imaging studies are conducted to identify the most appropriate site for the craniotomy. Several small-interconnected burr holes are drilled into the skull to create the craniotomy window. Through this window, neurosurgeons access the tumor directly. The tumor is removed using microsurgical techniques, aided, as necessary, with frameless stereotaxic techniques to minimize injury to the surrounding brain and to localize a deep-lying tumor.

Microsurgery

Microsurgery provides a magnified view of the operating area making it easier for neurosurgeons to see and remove tumor tissues sparing more healthy brain tissue, as a smaller clean margin area is necessary. Neurosurgeons use microscissors and microscapels to remove diseased tissue. Additional surgical devices, ultrasonic aspirators and lasers, are employed for maximal or complete tumor removal to ensure patient safety.

Craniotomy allows direct brain access and is most appropriate for larger tumors, particularly large and bulky tumors that compress brain structures and cause neurological dysfunction. Radiosurgery and gammaknife are techniques used more often for specific smaller tumors known to be radiosensitive in which total removal of the tumor is not necessary.