Decompression of the orbit using a lateral rhinotomy approach in patients with malignant endocrine exophthalmos

Malignant endocrine exophthalmos is a complication seen in 1-2% of patients treated for thyrotoxicosis. A variety of surgical techniques have been used to prevent loss of vision due to compression of the optic nerve. In this study, nine patients with rapidly diminishing vision were operated upon using a lateral rhinotomy technique creating the largest possible space for expansion into the nose and decompressing the optic nerve far back in the orbit. In all patients the vision was improved 1 year after surgery and the proptosis was decreased.