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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Otolaryngology

Skull Base Surgery

Skull base tumors can threaten a patient's vision, facial function or hearing, and outcomes are better at high-volume centers with advanced technologists and skilled microsurgeons.

As one of the largest academic health care systems in the Midwest, our team of specialists at Indiana University School of Medicine, partnered with IU Health, treat the most skull base tumors in the state of Indiana. Faculty physicians in the Departments of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Neurological Surgery and Medicine not only treat patients with excellence but also lead research and clinical trials, bringing leading-edge skull base tumor care to the people of Indiana.

Illustration of Skull Base

Looking for Patient Care?

Schedule an appointment or make a referral with a skull base specialist at IU Health.

Call: 317-944-6467
Fax: 317-968-1038

364 new visits for skull base conditions in 2024 
5 years with the most market share in Indiana*  
242 skull base cases in 2024

*Source: Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), Jan.–Sep. 2023

Conditions Treated

 Anterior skull base Lateral skull base
 Pituitary adenomas Acoustic neuroma
 CSF leaks CSF leaks
 Chordoma Paragangliomas
 Craniopharyngiomas Bell's Palsy
 Meningiomas Trigeminal Neuralgia

a surgeon performs surgery
a surgeon performs surgery

Program Highlights

  • Largest academic healthcare system — IU Health — in the Midwest
  • Nationally recognized for research in the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous CSF leaks, acoustic neuromas, and pituitary adenomas.
  • Precision medicine based upon tumor type, location, and patient preferences
  • Timely consultations completed within an average of seven days
  • Largest acoustic neuroma program in Indiana focused on facial nerve and hearing preservation
  • Non-invasive treatment of skull base tumors available with Gamma knife radiosurgery
  • Multidisciplinary team of experts including fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons, laryngologists, head and neck oncologists to rehabilitate tumor-related cranial nerve deficits such as facial paralysis, vocal cord paralysis and swallowing dysfunction.
  • Academic training through Skull Base Fellowships and residency training program at IU School of Medicine

Fellowship Programs

Dr. Angela Richardson in the OR

Neuro-oncology/Skull Base

The Department of Neurological Surgery offers a one-year fellowship in managing complex brain tumors and in the operative management of aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.

Neurotology

The Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery offers a two-year fellowship ranging from neurotology cases in the operating room to practical experience with patients.

a surgeon at work in the operating room

Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

The Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery offers a one-year fellowship in the management of complex rhinologic and neuro-rhinologic conditions.

Research Papers

Skull Base Providers

Lateral skull base/neurotology
62066-Cumpston, Evan Evan Cumpston, MD

Evan Cumpston, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology & H/N Surgery

23096-Nelson, Rick Rick F. Nelson, MD, PhD

Rick F. Nelson, MD, PhD

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

12192-Yates, Charles Charles W. Yates, MD

Charles W. Yates, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Anterior Skull Base
17175-Illing, Elisa Elisa A. Illing, MD

Elisa A. Illing, MD

Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

60724-Sreenath, Satyan Satyan B. Sreenath, MD

Satyan B. Sreenath, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

61167-Ramakrishnan, Vijay Vijay R. Ramakrishnan, MD

Vijay R. Ramakrishnan, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

16658-Ting, Jonathan Jonathan Y. Ting, MD

Jonathan Y. Ting, MD

Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

skull base neurosurgery
68351-Almeida, Joao Paulo Joao Paulo Almeida, MD, PhD

Joao Paulo Almeida, MD, PhD

Robert L. Campbell Scholar in Neurological Surgery

16057-Lane, Brandon Brandon C. Lane, MD

Brandon C. Lane, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

21154-Moore, Kenneth Kenneth A. Moore, MD

Kenneth A. Moore, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

69170-Patra, Devi Devi P. Patra, M.D.

Devi P. Patra, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

65063-Pease, Matthew Matthew W. Pease, MD

Matthew W. Pease, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

60708-Richardson, Angela Angela M. Richardson, MD, PhD

Angela M. Richardson, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

13463-Shah, Mitesh Mitesh V. Shah, MD

Mitesh V. Shah, MD

Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery

Neurovascular
15335-Bohnstedt, Bradley Bradley N. Bohnstedt, MD

Bradley N. Bohnstedt, MD

Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery

21154-Moore, Kenneth Kenneth A. Moore, MD

Kenneth A. Moore, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

69170-Patra, Devi Devi P. Patra, M.D.

Devi P. Patra, M.D.

Associate Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

radiation oncology
16756-Shiue, Kevin Kevin R. Shiue, MD

Kevin R. Shiue, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology