Endoscopic Transnasal Optic Nerve Decompression

Lanišnik, Boštjan; Ravnik, Janez

Endoscopic Transnasal Optic Nerve Decompression

Open Education Resource

2025-03-08

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the indications, decision making and surgical technique of endoscopic transnasal optic nerve decompression and presents some controversies relating to decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression can be performed with little or no morbidity. It is done mainly for traumatic optic neuropathy. Other indications include skull base tumours e.g. meningiomas growing into the optic canal. or fibroosseous lesions of the skull base. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is most suited to pathology located medial to the optic nerve. Lateral fractures of the sphenoid wing e.g. of the clinoid, are more easily accessed through a pterional approach.