Endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy

Modified endoscopic transnasal orbital apex decompression in dysthyroid optic neuropathy

BACKGROUND

To describe the surgical technique and assess the clinical efficacy and safety of modified endoscopic transnasal orbital apex decompression in the treatment of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

METHODS

In this retrospective research, forty-two subjects (74 orbits) who underwent modified endoscopic transnasal orbital apex decompression for the treatment of dysthyroid optic neuropathy were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field mean deviation (MD), Hertel exophthalmometry, and new onset diplopia were assessed before and after the intervention. The Wilcoxon test was used for differential analysis. Linear mixed-models' analyses were conducted to assess the potential predictors for BCVA change.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, the mean BCVA improved from 0.70 ± 0.62 logMAR to 0.22 ± 0.33 logMAR. BCVA significantly improved in 69 eyes (93%), remained stable in 4 eyes (5%) and deteriorated in 1 eye (1%). MD of visual fields improved from -13.73 ± 9.22 dB to -7.23 ± 7.04 dB. Proptosis decreased from 19.57 ± 3.38 mm to 16.35 ± 3.01 mm. Preoperative BCVA, MD of visual fields and medical rectus diameter were independent factors associated with improvements in BCVA (P < 0.05) by linear mixed-models' analyses. Eighteen patients (42.9%) developed new diplopia postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Modified endoscopic transnasal orbital apex decompression effectively restores vision in dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Orbital wall decompression in the management of Graves' orbitopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To systematically review outcomes of orbital bony wall decompression for Grave's orbitopathy according to the surgical approach.

METHODS

A systematic search for studies published in "Ovid MEDLINE", "Web of Science" and "Embase" of patients with surgical treatment of Grave's orbitopathy was performed. The overall postoperative change in Hertel exophthalmometry was calculated by random-effect meta-analysis model with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies, including 1686 patients and 2946 procedures, were included. The weighted mean Hertel value overall reduction was - 4.56 mm (95% CI - 5.05 to - 4.07 mm). According to surgical techniques the reduction was - 4.36 mm (95% CI - 5.22 to - 3.50) for infero-medial technique, - 4.88 mm (- 5.68 to - 4.08) for medial-lateral technique, - 4.32 mm (- 4.80to - 3.84) for lateral technique, - 5.45 mm (- 6.16 to - 4.74) for three-wall technique and - 3.47 mm (- 5.81 to - 1.12) for medial technique. The overall rate of new-onset of primary gaze diplopia was reported in 23 studies. The included procedures were 653 and results were heterogeneous (heterogeneity: Q = 78.8 df = 22, I2 = 72.09%, p < 0.01). The pooled proportion (95% CI) rate of new-onset of primary gaze diplopia was 12% (7-16).

CONCLUSION

Our metanalysis highlights that orbital bony wall decompression represents an effective surgical procedure. The three wall approach was associated with the best results in terms of exophthalmos reduction. Data suggest that an exclusive lateral approach may help to avoid the new-onset of primary gaze diplopia during the postoperative period.

Transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression

Transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression is a viable alternative for external orbital decompression. Today, it can be performed due to the great development of endoscopic technology and specific endoscopic surgical instruments. It requires strong anatomic knowledge and skilled hands.

We present our experience with endoscopic orbital decompression focusing on the surgical technique used in our department. The surgical maneuvers must be firm and gentle protecting the local risk elements and respecting the orbital content.

Balanced (endoscopic medial and transcutaneous lateral) orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy

BACKGROUND

To determine the clinical outcomes and morbidity of endoscopic medial wall combined with transcutaneous lateral orbital wall decompression in Graves' orbitopathy.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective noncomparative case series of patients who underwent surgical decompression for Graves' orbitopathy at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada between 2004 and 2014 was performed. We reviewed the patients' charts and analyzed before and after the decompression, the visual acuity (Snellen chart), optic nerve compression (fundoscopy and optic coherence tomography), exophthalmometry (Hertel measurement), ocular motility, diplopia, eyelid surgery needed after decompression and its possible complications.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients (36 orbits) were operated. The mean follow-up was 44 months (range 18-84). Vision improved dramatically in all compressive optic neuropathy cases (5 cases). Hertel measurements improved on average 3.5 mm (range 1.5-4.5). Diplopia was cured in eight patients (40%) and nine patients with severe preoperative diplopia required strabismus surgery after decompression. Eyelid surgery was further needed in 13 patients. Hyaluronic acid injection was the most used technique for the treatment of eyelid retraction (6 out of 13 patients). Only two major complications were observed: one case had a major post-operative epistaxis and another a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Both were resolved without further sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that endoscopic medial wall combined with transcutaneous lateral wall orbital decompression is an effective and safe treatment for the symptomatic dysthyroid eye disease with important proptosis or compressive optic neuropathy.

Endoscopic endonasal optic nerve and orbital apex decompression for nontraumatic optic neuropathy: surgical nuances and review of the literature

OBJECT

While several approaches have been described for optic nerve decompression, the endoscopic endonasal route is gaining favor because it provides excellent exposure of the optic canal and the orbital apex in a minimally invasive manner. Very few studies have detailed the experience with nontraumatic optic nerve decompressions, whereas traumatic cases have been widely documented. Herein, the authors describe their preliminary experience with endoscopic endonasal decompression for nontraumatic optic neuropathies (NONs) to determine the procedure's efficacy and delineate its potential indications and limits.

METHODS

The medical reports of patients who had undergone endoscopic endonasal optic nerve and orbital apex decompression for NONs at the Lyon University Neurosurgical Hospital in the period from January 2012 to March 2014 were reviewed. For all cases, clinical and imaging data on the underlying pathology and the patient, including demographics, preoperative and 6-month postoperative ophthalmological assessment results, symptom duration, operative details with video debriefing, as well as the immediate and delayed postoperative course, were collected from the medical records.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent endoscopic endonasal decompression for NON in the multidisciplinary skull base surgery unit of the Lyon University Neurosurgical Hospital during the 27-month study period. The mean patient age was 53.4 years, and there was a clear female predominance (8 females and 3 males). Among the underlying pathologies were 4 sphenoorbital meningiomas (36%), 3 optic nerve meningiomas (27%), and 1 each of trigeminal neuroma (9%), orbital apex meningioma (9%), ossifying fibroma (9%), and inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit (9%). Fifty-four percent of the patients had improved visual acuity at the 6-month follow-up. Only 1 patient whose sphenoorbital meningioma had been treated at the optic nerve atrophy stage continued to worsen despite surgical decompression. The 2 patients presenting with preoperative papilledema totally recovered. One case of postoperative epistaxis was successfully treated using balloon inflation, and 1 case of air swelling of the orbit spontaneously resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic endonasal optic nerve decompression is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique affording the restoration of visual function in patients with nontraumatic compressive processes of the orbital apex and optic nerve. The timing of decompression remains crucial, and patients should undergo such a procedure early in the disease course before optic atrophy.