This issue of the Neurosurgery Clinics, Malignant Tumors of the Skull Base, is Guest Edited by Drs. Orin Bloch and Franco DeMonte. Malignant tumors of the skull base pose significant challenges to the clinician, because of their proximity to critical neurovascular structures. This issue will explore various approaches to the removal of malignant tumors of the skull base, including open surgical approaches and minimally invasive approaches. Other articles in this issue include topics such as craniofacial reconstruction following oncologic resection, temporal bone malignancies, sinonasal carcinomas, and radiotherapy for malignant skull base tumors.

Because the base of the skull has proven to be one of the most challenging regions of the body to access, treatment options were once limited for patients with tumors or lesions in this area. However, with recent advancements and breakthroughs in treatment, patients with skull base tumors now have an array of surgical options that can help them return to leading a normal and active life. The Endoscopic Endonasal Approach (EEA) is an innovative surgical technique used to remove brain tumors and lesions—some as large as softballs—all through the nose.

This issue of the Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, Guest Edited by Drs. Manish Aghi and Lewis Blevins, is devoted to Management of Pituitary Tumors. Experts in the field have assembled to provide articles on Imaging of the pituitary and parasellar region; Management of Incidentally Found Nonfunctional Pituitary Tumors; Endoscopic Surgery for Pituitary Tumors; Prolactinomas – Medical versus Surgical Management; Neurosurgery for Cushing’s Disease; Postoperative radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary tumors; Management options for persistent postoperative acromegaly; Medical management of persistent and recurrent Cushing’s disease; Management of Large Aggressive Nonfunctional Pituitary Tumors – Experimental Medical Options when Surgery and Radiation Fail; Pituitary Carcinoma; Visual Outcomes after Surgery For Nonfunctional Adenomas Causing Visual Compromise; and Hypopituitarism and Central Diabetes Insipidus: Peri-Operative Diagnosis and Management.

The Editors for this issue of Otolaryngologic Clinics, Dr George Wanna and Dr Matthew Luke Carlson, envisioned a publication that reviews the evaluation and management of common ear and lateral skull base tumors. Intended audience includes Otologists, Neurotologists, General otolaryngologists and Neurosurgeons alike. The development of management of lateral skull base tumors has been rapid, in the past 40 years there has been a tremendous shift toward conservative therapy for benign lesions. Focused chapters review specific pathologies plus a chapter focused on stereotactic radiotherapy. Topics written by reputed leaders in the field of Otology and skull base tumors include: Imaging of temporal bone lesions; Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone; Glomus tympanicum; Adenomatous tumors of the middle ear; Intralabyrinthine schwannomas; Vestibular schwannoma; Neurofibromatosis2 (including ABI and CI); Non-schwannoma tumors of the CPA; Glomus jugulare; Endolymphatic sac tumors; Non-paraganglioma jugular foramen tumors; Primary tumors of the facial nerve; Cholesterol granuloma and other petrous apex lesions; Stereotactic radiosurgery for tumors of the lateral skull base; Pediatric temporal bone malignancy; and Historical perspective on evolution in management of lateral skull base tumors.

This issue of Neurosurgery Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Edjah Nduom and Jeff Olson, will focus on Metastases to the Central Nervous System. This issue is one of four selected each year by our series consulting editors, Dr. Russell R. Lonser and Dr. Daniel K. Resnick. Topics discussed in this issue will include: Epidemiology of metastatic CNS disease, Initial approach to the patient with a newly diagnosed solitary brain metastasis, Initial approach to the patient with multiple newly diagnosed brain metastases, When to consider a stereotactic biopsy for brain metastases, Techniques for open surgical resection of cerebral metastases, Laser ablation for cerebral metastases, Histopathological features and laboratory markers of common brain metastases, Recurrence vs radiation necrosis – evaluation and treatment, Anti-epileptic drugs for the management of cerebral metastases, Chemotherapy for the management of cerebral metastases, Approach to the management of metastatic leptomeningeal disease, Immune therapy for CNS metastases, Novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of cerebral metastases, Skull base metastases – diagnosis and management, and more.

In recent years, interest in the management of anterior skull base tumors has been fostered by the introduction and subsequent rapid expansion of indications of transnasal endoscopic techniques. In parallel, extraordinary progress has been made in all the other disciplines which are involved in the complex process of managing anterior skull base tumors, leading to substantial improvements in diagnosis and treatment. The anterior skull base can be involved in a large variety of tumors of a varying nature and histology, which in the majority of cases originate from adjacent anatomic sites. In fact, primary lesions of the anterior skull base mainly include osteoma and other tumors originating from bone and cartilage. Tumors involving the anterior skull base have their origin prevalently in the sinonasal tract, but lesions developing on the intracranial site, such as meningiomas, may also extend caudally to encroach upon this area. All these lesions are rare, which means that the pertinent literature does not include prospective studies or treatment guidelines based on a high level of evidence. In view of the extreme histological variability of lesions involving the anterior skull base, much emphasis has been placed on addressing the different nuances of treatment in relation to histology, especially for malignant tumors. The chapters focusing on surgery provide divergent views on selection criteria for a specific surgical technique, which is the aim of this publication.

Use today's latest technology and methods to optimize imaging of complex skull base anatomy. This practical reference offers expert guidance on accurate preoperative lesion localization and the evaluation of its relationship with adjacent neurovascular structures. - Features a wealth of information for radiologists and surgeons on current CT and MR imaging as they relate to skull base anatomy. - Covers localizing skull base lesions, reaching the appropriate differential diagnosis, and deciding which surgical approach is best. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this challenging area into one convenient resource.