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Skull Base Surgery

Skull base surgery may be an option for certain benign or cancerous tumors and other abnormalities on the underside of the brain. It's a minimally invasive surgery that has less risk of infection and damage to existing tissue, less risk of disfigurement, and an improved recovery time.

We employ specialized instruments inserted through the nose, mouth, or above the eye to avoid traditional techniques that might require cutting through muscle and bone.

Skull base surgery can often treat growths caused by infections, tumors on the underside of the brain or behind the nose and eyes, intense facial pain on one side of the face, pituitary tumors, cysts that develop from birth, cerebral aneurysms, and malformed arteries and veins.

Your surgeon will discuss your diagnosis, options for treatment, and any risks and benefits.

  • Facilities & Locations

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St. Luke's Clinic - Northwest Neurosurgery Associates: Boise, Bannock St, 10th Floor

We specialize in diagnosing and treating neurological conditions with a variety of surgical options for the brain, back and spine, and peripheral nerves.

  • Location & Contact Info

    190 E. Bannock St.
    (10th Floor)
    Boise, ID 83712
    (208) 381-5500

Providers

  • James V. Crawford, MD

    James V. Crawford, MD

    Ear Nose and Throat

    Biography

    James Crawford, MD is a board certified neurotologist. He served in the U.S. Army for 24 years and was an associate professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University as well as director of the Otolaryngology Residency Program at Madigan Army Medical Center. Dr. Crawford has been active in hearing research, including research on cochlear implants and other middle ear implantable devices, and has lectured nationally and internationally.

    Originally from Boise, Dr. Crawford graduated from Capital High School before attending Brigham Young University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling, snow skiing, water skiing, fishing, hiking, and playing tennis and golf.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

  • Edward A. Duckworth, MD

    Neurosurgery

    Biography

    Edward Duckworth, MD, MS, FAANS is an intracranial-focused neurosurgeon, specializing in the treatment of complex cranial disorders. He has expertise in treating many conditions, including cerebrovascular disease and the surgical treatment of stroke; brain tumors, including pituitary tumors; acoustic neuroma; skull base tumors; Chiari malformation; epilepsy; moyamoya; trigeminal neuralgia; arteriovenous malformations, cavernoma; normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH); and carotid artery disease. He is the director of St. Luke's Cranial Neurosurgery Program.

    Dr. Duckworth holds the distinction of being "dual-fellowship trained," having completed fellowship training in cerebrovascular and cranial base surgery at Northwestern University and in endovascular neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology at Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He as also earned a subspecialty certification in neuroendovascular surgery from The Society of Neurological Surgeons Committee on Advanced Subspecialty Training (CAST). This depth of expertise allows him to offer the safest and most effective treatments for cerebrovascular conditions, whether that is open surgery or an endovascular technique.

    While working at the Baylor College of Medicine, he held the rank of associate professor and served as the director of cerebrovascular and cranial base neurosurgery.

    Dr. Duckworth is a member of the American Association for Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has published over 50 peer reviewed papers and given more than 40 oral presentations on neurosurgery.

    Surgical Specialties

    • Neurosurgery
    • Cerebrovascular neurosurgery
    • Endovascular neurosurgery
    • Endovascular surgical neuroradiology
    • Neurological skull base surgery

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Eric P. Wilkinson, MD

    Eric P. Wilkinson, MD

    Ear Nose and Throat

    Biography

    Eric Wilkinson, MD has extensive clinical and research experience with cochlear implants (CI) and auditory brainstem implants (ABI) in adults and children. He is double board certified in otolaryngology (ENT) and otology/neurotology, which is the medical and surgical management of ears, hearing, balance, skull base tumors such as acoustic neuroma, and the facial nerve.
     
    Dr. Wilkinson is a recognized expert in auditory implants and endoscopic ear surgery and performs minimally invasive techniques when possible. In addition to ear surgery, he has extensive experience with endonasal surgery to improve both nasal breathing and Eustachian tube function. Dr. Wilkinson performs surgery to improve nasal function and structure using minimal incision techniques.

    Dr. Wilkinson sees both children and adults.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

North American Skull Base Society Recognition

North American Skull Base Society Recognition

St. Luke's Neurosurgery a Team of Distinction

St. Luke’s neurosurgery has earned recognition as a Multidisciplinary Team of Distinction from the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS). NASBS recognizes programs like St. Luke’s Neurosurgery that have multidisciplinary skull base surgery teams that include physicians in a variety of specialties.

Learn More about this Recognition
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