Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025

Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Sinonasal Chondrosarcoma Presenting With Isolated Severe Vision Loss
Michael T B Nguyen1, Armin Farahvash, Brendan C Dickson
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences (MTBN, JAM), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Faculty of Medicine (AF), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (BCD), Mount Sinai Hospital; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (BCD), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (JML), St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (JML), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Division of Neurosurgery (MDC), Department of Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Surgery (MDC), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Radiation Medicine Program (DST), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network; Department of Radiation Oncology (DST), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Division of Neurology (JAM), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Department of Ophthalmology (JAM), St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sinonasal chondrosarcoma can cause vision loss by compressing the optic nerve. Early diagnosis and surgical resection are crucial for preserving sight in patients with these rare tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Sinonasal tumors are rare and can present with varied symptoms.
- Compressive optic neuropathies often result from orbital or intracranial masses.
- Nasal or sinus symptoms are typically associated with sinonasal pathologies.
Observation:
- A young man presented with progressive, painless vision loss in one eye.
- MRI revealed a sinonasal skull base tumor compressing the optic nerve.
- Pathology confirmed a low-grade chondrosarcoma.
Findings:
- Surgical resection via an endoscopic endonasal approach was performed.
- The patient showed visual improvement post-treatment.
- Chondrosarcoma WHO grade I/III was diagnosed.
Implications:
- Malignant sinonasal tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of optic neuropathies.
- Vision loss can occur without typical nasal or sinus symptoms.
- Multidisciplinary management involving neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and oncology is essential.
Related Concept Videos
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Glaucoma: Overview
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Prosopagnosia

