Intranasal endoscopic surgery in traumatic optic neuropathy--the Belgian experience

The management of traumatic optic neuropathy remains controversial. In this report we present the results of 8 patients treated by means of an intranasal endoscopic approach to the optic canal after at least 12 hours of corticosteroid therapy without improvement. Vision improved in four of the eight patients who underwent the surgery. There was no morbidity or mortality. As the results of the endoscopic optic nerve decompression are comparable to those reported using other surgical procedures, we feel that this approach merits consideration by surgeons.