title: [Endoscopic transnasal approach for optic nerve decompression].
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Otolaryngologii AM w Białymstoku. sieska@interia.pl
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sieśkiewicz
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Łysoń
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rogowski
authors.forename: Zenon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mariak
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000601:surgery; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery*