title: Endoscopic orbital and optic nerve decompression.
abstract: Endoscopic orbital decompression has become the surgical treatment of choice for many patients with orbital manifestations of Graves' disease, including proptosis and optic neuropathy. The unparalleled visualization provided by endoscopic instrumentation allows for a safe and thorough decompression, particularly when operating along the orbital apex and skull base. Although the benefits of and indications for decompression of the orbit are well established, the role of optic nerve decompression remains controversial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ralph_metson@meei.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Metson
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Pletcher
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000601:surgery; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome