Microvascular Decompression of the Optic Nerve

Teaching NeuroImages: microvascular decompression of the optic nerve.

Vascular compression is a known cause of cranial nerve dysfunction in a variety of disease states including trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and hypoglossal neuralgia.(1,2.)

Optic nerve ischemia: optic nerve sheath decompression alone or with optic nerve decompression.

Microvascular Decompression of the Optic Nerve for Paroxysmal Phosphenes and Visual Field Deficit.

BACKGROUND Microvascular decompression surgery is standard neurosurgical practice for treating trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Most other cranial nerves have been decompressed for paroxysmal intermittent hyperactivity of the affected cranial nerve or in very long-standing compressions to treat cranial nerve hypofunctioning. CASE DESCRIPTION We describe a case of intermittent paroxy...

Endoscopic orbital and optic nerve decompression.

The endoscopic transnasal approach is well suited for decompression of both the orbit and optic canal. High-resolution nasal endoscopes provide excellent visualization for bone removal along the orbital apex and skull base. Endoscopic orbital decompression has proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of patients with Graves' orbitopathy; however, the indications and outcomes for endosc...

The efficacy of optic nerve sheath decompression for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and other optic neuropathies.

First proposed by De Wecker! in 1872 as a treatment for neuroretinitis, optic nerve sheath decompression (or fenestration) is an operation that has caused much controversy. This surgical therapy was not seriously considered until Davidson" and Smith, Hoyt, and Newton" reintroduced it in 1969 as an alternative therapy for chronic disk edema. Over the next 19 years, however, only about 60 cases o...