Results of transmedial-canthal ethmoidal decompression for severe dysthyroid optic neuropathy

To study the effects of ethmoidal wall (one-wall) decompression using a transmedial-canthal approach (transmedial-canthal ethmoidectomy) for the treatment of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

The ethmoidal wall and air cells were completely removed using a transmedial-canthal approach in 6 eyes of 4 patients (mean age = 55 years; age range, 46-69 years) with dysthyroid optic neuropathy. Similar surgery was performed on 2 contralateral eyes in 2 of the patients for cosmetic reasons. The preoperative corrected visual acuity in the 6 eyes ranged from hand motion to 20/100. Centrocecal scotomas were detected using automatic static threshold perimetry in the 6 eyes.

After transmedial-canthal ethmoidectomy, the corrected visual acuity improved to better than 20/20 in the 6 eyes, and the centrocecal scotomas had almost completely resolved. There were no major complications, such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or diplopia associated with the surgery. There were no relapses during an average follow-up period of 29 months.

These findings suggest that transmedial-canthal ethmoidectomy is an effective and safe therapy for dysthyroid optic neuropathy.