It started with a face twitch. Mary Broderick, of Elgin, didn't think much of it until her face began drooping on one side. After living with a misdiagnosis of Bell's palsy for three years, Broderick was determined to find out what was really going on. An online search led her to Northwestern Medicine cranial base surgeon Dr. Andrew J. Fishman; and finally a correct, but alarming diagnosis. Broderick had a cancerous tumor in the parotid gland, the main salivary gland. It was

Reconstructive surgery of the middle ear bones can be performed in a variety of ways dependent upon the anatomy and clinical circumstances. In some instances it can be performed at the primary operation and other times it is best to delay the reconstruction as a second stage, particularly in cases of intact canal wall cholesteatoma when a 'second look” procedure is planned to ensure the lack of recurrence. The two videos below demonstrate both situations and also utilize di

While most patients with Meniere’s Disease in our practice benefit from non-invasive therapies including dietary changes and anti inflammatory therapies, there are a number of those who are not adequately controlled by these conservative measures. When this is the case, we offer a variety of surgical treatment options which have a high rate of success in eliminating the major disabling symptoms of Meniere’s Disease and offer long term benefits.

A Cranial Base Surgeon is a member of a multidisciplinary team which includes specialists in the field of neurotology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology-head & neck surgery, radiation oncology, neuro-oncology & interventional neuroradiology. Patients with complex tumors and disease will often be operated and cared for by a number of specialists simultaneously, each with their own highly specialized contributions and roles. Cranial Base Surgery is also often referred to as Skul

Clival Chordoma is a locally agressive tumor that requires the best possible resection from the outset. Our center has significant experience in this pathology. We are able to provide a variety of approaches including, endoscopic, transoral, as well as complex facial translocations when necessary to ensure the best and most complete resection of the lesion depending upon the extent and location of the tumor. The video below is an example of the most complex scenario requir