Riyadh Medical Team Uses Transnasal Endoscopic Tumour Removal

A medical team at King Saud University Medical City has adopted a new surgical technique to remove tumours located at the base of the skull, using a transnasal endoscopic approach that allows surgeons to access the affected area through the nasal passages.

The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team combining neurosurgery and sinus surgery expertise. By using an endoscope inserted through the nose, the team was able to extract a large skull base tumour without resorting to more invasive cranial surgery. The method is designed to reduce surgical complications commonly associated with hard-to-reach tumours in this region.

The patient recovered with their sense of smell preserved, an outcome that can be difficult to achieve in skull base surgeries due to the proximity of olfactory nerves. Maintaining olfactory function was cited as a key indicator of the precision of the approach and the coordination between the surgical teams involved.

The transnasal endoscopic route allows surgeons to operate with enhanced visualisation while limiting trauma to surrounding tissues. The technique is increasingly used in complex skull base cases to minimise risks, shorten recovery times and improve post-operative quality of life.