Background: Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a devastating complication of thyroid eye disease. Corticosteroids are the primary medical treatment for DON, but some refractory patients may require surgical management.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic endonasal decompression of the orbital apex in refractory DON.
Methods: This study included patients with refractory DON who underwent endoscopic endonasal decompression of the orbital apex from February 2015 to October 2016. A total of 23 orbital apices were decompressed across 17 patients. Visual acuity, ophthalmometry, tonometry, and visual field were evaluated at the preoperative, early and delayed postoperative stages. Statistical analyses were performed using RStudio software. A Wilcoxon test for matched data was performed to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postsurgical treatment for the following items: visual acuity, proptosis, visual field, and intraocular pressure.
Results: Visual acuity improved in 69.5% of the cases with a mean gain of 2.5 points ± 1.6 (P < .05). Additionally, there was an 18.3% reduction in mean proptosis across all cases (P < .05) and a 13.7% decrease in intraocular pressure (P < .05) for all patients. Finally, visual field improved in 82.6% (P < .05) of the cases. The mean time for follow-up was of 6.28 ± 3.7 mo. There were 3 cases of transient postoperative rhinitis and 2 cases of transient diplopia. Two patients experienced recurrence at 4 and 8 mo, respectively.
Conclusion: Endoscopic endonasal decompression of the orbital apex significantly improves visual parameters. As a result, multidisciplinary screening for patients is crucial to ensure prompt surgical decompression.
Keywords: Basedow disease; Dysthyroid optic neuropathy; Endoscopic endonasal surgery; Graves disease; Optic nerve decompression; Orbital apex; Thyroid eye disease.
Copyright © 2019 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.