Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy with internal carotid artery trauma

Abstract

Objective: To summarize our experience in the diagnosis of internal carotid artery trauma in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy, and to make recommendations for the treatment. Methods: The clinic data of 6 cases who had traumatic optic neuropathy with internal carotid artery trauma and who were admited in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: All 6 cases were monocular blindness. Four cases did not undergo nasal endoscopic optic nerve decompression because of the diagnoses of internal carotid artery trauma. One case was diagnosed after nasal endoscopic optic nerve decompression because of fatal bleeding during the operation. One case was diagnosed because of late-onset recurrent epistaxis. Among the 6 cases with internal carotid artery trauma, 3 cases were successfully treated with endovascular interventional treatment (stent embolization was used in one case, Coil embolization was used in two cases), and 3 patients refused treatment. Conclusions: The patients with traumatic optic neuropathy have the possibility of severe carotid artery trauma. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is not suitable for these cases. It should pay more attention to patients with traumatic optic neuropathy. For suspected cases, vascular-enhanced computed tomography screening and digital subtraction angiography should be recommended and patients should be treated by endovascular intervention in a timely manner.