Post-traumatic Optic Neuropathy Research Articles

Transnasal Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression in Post Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

To quantify the successful outcome in patients following optic nerve decompression in post traumatic unilateral optic neuropathy in form of improvement in visual acuity. A prospective study was carried out over a period of 5years (January 2011 to June 2016) at civil hospital Ahmedabad. Total 20 patients were selected with optic neuropathy including patients with direct and indirect trauma to unilateral optic nerve, not responding to conservative management, leading to optic neuropathy and subsequent impairment in vision and blindness. Decompression was done via Transnasal-Ethmo-sphenoidal route and outcome was assessed in form of post-operative visual acuity improvement at 1month, 6months and 1year follow up. After surgical decompression complete recovery of visual acuity was achieved in 16 (80%) patients and partial recovery in 4 (20%). Endoscopic transnasal approach is beneficial in traumatic optic neuropathy not responding to steroid therapy and can prevent permanent disability if earlier intervention is done prior to irreversible damage to the nerve. Endoscopic optic nerve surgery can decompress the traumatic and oedematous optic nerve with proper exposure of orbital apex and optic canal without any major intracranial, intraorbital and transnasal complications.

Post-traumatic optic neuropathy: our surgical and medical protocol.

Post-traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a rare, but very much feared event. It is a traumatic injury of the optic nerve at any level along its course (often inside the optic canal), with partial or total loss of visual acuity, temporarily or permanently. Until now, an univocal treatment strategy does not exist. The clinical records of 26 patients, treated from 2002 to 2013, were reviewed. The most frequent cause of injury was road traffic accident (63%), followed by iatrogenic damage, work injuries, sport or home accidents. All patients underwent pre-operative ophthalmological evaluation, neuro-imaging (angio-CT or angio-MRI scans) and systemic corticosteroid therapy. All patients required a surgical treatment, due to poor response to medical therapy; it consisted of an endonasal endoscopic decompression of the intracanalicular segment of the optic nerve, performed by removing the bony wall of the optical canal and releasing the perineural sheath. Improvement of visual acuity was reached in 65% of cases. No minor or major complication occurred intra- or post-operative, with a maximum follow-up time of 41 months. An improvement in visual acuity was achieved, although very limited in some cases, when surgery was performed as close as possible to the traumatic event. In the literature, there is no evidence-based data evaluating both of the two main treatment options (medical therapy versus surgical decompression), to state which is the gold standard in the treatment for TON. We discuss the pro and cons of our protocol: medical endovenous steroid treatment, within 8 h of injury, and endoscopic surgical decompression within 12-24 since the beginning of medical therapy, represent the best solution in terms of risk-benefit ratio for the patients.

Przeznosowy dostęp endoskopowy celem odbarczenia nerwu wzrokowego

Optic nerve decompression is nowadays increasingly performed using endoscopic technique. THE AIM of this report is to present a clinical series of 8 patients operated on with this technique due to posttraumatic loss of vision and other visual disturbances. Technical details of this procedure and surgical anatomy will also be discussed. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression was performed in eight patients using transnasal transethmoidal approach. The loss of vision was caused by posttraumatic optic neuropathy in 6 patients, optic neuritis in 1 patient and by cystic lesion of the orbital apex and sphenoid sinus in 1 patient. Vision acuity improvement was achieved in 4 patients (50%). Complications included intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred in 2 patients. In one of them the leak had to be sealed using intracranial approach. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression can be used in appropriately selected patients with optic nerve lesions to improve the visual functions. High technical skill, proper endowment and thorough knowledge of surgical anatomy are prerequisites of success. Good interdisciplinary cooperation between the laryngologist and neurosurgeon helps in minimizing the risk of serious complications, especially in posttraumatic cases.

Traumatic Carotid Artery Dissection Causing Blindness

A case of delayed postoperative visual loss due to bilateral traumatic carotid artery dissection is presented. In patients with a major craniofacial injury due to a high-speed motor vehicle accident, we suggest that carotid artery duplex ultrasonography be used in the initial evaluation for possible carotid artery dissection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck with magnetic resonance angiography should be performed subsequently if indicated. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy can minimize complications.

Anton's syndrome in a patient with posttraumatic optic neuropathy and bifrontal contusions

Anton's syndrome in a patient with posttraumatic optic neuropathy and bifrontal contusions

Protracted Posttraumatic Optic Disc Swelling

Optic disc swelling is a rare sequela of blunt ocular trauma. The authors examined three young patients who had an unusual post-traumatic optic neuropathy in which protracted swelling of the optic nerve head was the salient clinical feature. Associated choroidal ruptures in two patients suggested a contrecoup mechanism of injury to the optic nerve at its junction with the globe. All patients had partial recovery of vision over months, concurrent with resolution of the nerve head swelling and development of optic disc pallor. Despite its protracted course, posttraumatic optic disc swelling appears to be associated with a favorable prognosis for visual recovery.

Delayed post traumatic optic neuropathy with recovery after unroofing of optic canal

Optic nerve injury from closed head trauma may be delayed in onset even if the optic canal is narrowed by fracture. Micro neurosurgical unroofing of the optic canal followed by gradual return of vision is documented in two cases.