ABSTRACT
Skull base tumours generally have neural, vascular or meningeal origins. They may also arise from bone, cartilage and extra-cranial tissues. Although a vast range of different pathological entities is included within the definition, common biological tendencies are observed because of their anatomical location. For convenience, skull base tumours can be classified according to primary location, e.g., anterior cranial fossa, middle cranial fossa, posterior fossa and those arising from the paranasal sinuses, orbit, infratemporal fossa and post-nasal space. Clinical presentation is neural compression, special sense problems, cranial nerve dysfunction, endocrine dysfunction and problems with facial form and function. In patients with established or anticipated lower cranial nerve or bulbar dysfunction, tracheostomy and gastrostomy will be required at an early stage to avoid aspiration pneumonitis and ensure safe adequate nutrition. General medical complications including respiratory tract infection, post-traumatic epilepsy, urinary tract infection and poor nutrition are not uncommon.
