Doctors Embark on Mission Trip to India

In August of 2008, Dr. Chandra and Northwestern colleague Dr. Andrew Fishman embarked on a mission trip to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Kerala, India. This week long endeavor focused on care of local patients as well as training of local ENT surgeons and neurosurgeons in the management of skull base problems including tumors of the sinus tract, ear spaces, and base of the brain.

Dr. Fishman is a neuro-otologist with extensive experience in management of lateral skull base lesions such as acoustic neuroma, while Dr. Chandra’s experience lies in minimally invasive endocopic approaches for tumors of the sinuses and frontal skull base. In addition to performing surgical cases and assisting in patient care, Drs. Fishman and Chandra also conducted lectures and hands-on training workshops for the local surgeons.

Figure 1: Dr. Chandra (wearing microphone) performing endoscopic skull base tumor surgery with a local neurosurgeon.

Figure 2: Dr. Fishman reviewing MRI of a patient with a large lower cranial nerve schwannoma.

Figure 3: Dr. Fishman performing retrolabyrinthine approach under the operating microscope.

Figure 4: Dr. Chandra discusses the specialized instrumentation used for trans nasal endoscopic skull base surgery.