Pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) has changed the current management of pediatric sinonasal and skull base disorders. This review focuses on the recent literature exploring pediatric ESBS, including its utility and limitations.


RESULTS
Pediatric ESBS has been established as a safe and feasible technique for a variety of disease states. Special considerations in the pediatric populations include the use of image guidance technology, potential anatomic access limitations, and skull base reconstruction with vascularized flaps to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leak. The indications for endoscopic skull base surgery continue to expand as experience and technology evolve.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery is a proven technique established upon adult skull base experience. Despite certain limitations, the current literature would recommend consideration for this approach for many sinonasal and skull base lesions. Further research is required to determine long-term patient outcomes.
Munson
Patrick D
PD
Department of Otolaryngology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, USA. pdmunson@uams.edu
Moore
Eric J
EJ
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D010372:Pediatrics; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome