EVALUATION OF LOWER CRANIAL NERVE DEFICITS

Patients with cranial base tumors often present with cranial neuropath ies or develop cranial deficits as a consequence of skull base surgery . Deficits involving cranial nerves IX, X, XI, and XII can lead to sig nificant morbidity for patients. A standard evaluation of a patient wi th a suspected skull base lesion or a postsurgical patient would consi st of a complete history and physical examination, including a bedside examination and videofluoroscopy. Other modalities, including fiberop tic endoscopic examination of swallowing safety, ultrasound, and manof luorography, are used less frequently.