OBJECTIVETo discuss the indication, efficacy and safety of endoscopic minimally invasive surgery technique in the management of nasal skull-base neoplasms.

METHODSThirty-six patients with nasal skull base neoplasms were treated from January 2000 to Jun 2004 under nasal endoscopy, including 16 nasopharyngeal fibroangioma, 8 sinus osteofibroma, 8 pituitary adenoma, 4 olfactory neuroblastoma. Pathology lab procedures were performed pre or post-operatively. The feeding artery of nasopharyngeal fibroangioma was selectively embolized with gelatin sponge before operation. All olfactory neuroblastoma and 2 pituitary adenoma received radiotherapy after operation.

RESULTSTotal or most of nasopharyngeal fibroangioma, sinus osteofibroma, olfactory neuroblastoma and pituitary adenoma were excised. Three cases presented complications of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 2 cases were successfully mended with middle turbinate and muscle tissue respectively, another one gained self-healing after reducing the intracranial pressure and anti-inflammation. Followed up 4 to 8 years without recurrence for all patients. Seldom serious complications accrued.

CONCLUSIONSWhen the indications are selected appropriately, nasal skull-base neoplasms, including benign and malignant, can be well treated with nasal endoscopic minimally invasive surgery.