Extracranial optic nerve decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy
M. P. Joseph, S. Lessell, J. Rizzo and K. J. Momose
Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114.
We examined 14 patients with acute, unilateral optic nerve injury after
blunt head trauma. In each patient the optic canal was decompressed through
an ipsilateral external ethmoidectomy. The patients also received treatment
with dexamethasone during the perioperative period. There was no morbidity
or mortality. Eleven of the 14 patients improved, including 3 of the 5 who
could not perceive light preoperatively. Transethmoid-sphenoid optic canal
decompression is a safe and effective treatment for indirect optic nerve
trauma.
