Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to Intraconal Orbital Tumors: Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Lesions involving the intraconal space of the orbit are rare and challenging to manage. Operative techniques and outcomes for the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) to tumors in the medial intraconal space (MIS) remain poorly characterized.

We present our experience with a wide range of isolated intraconal pathology managed via an EEA.

A retrospective review of all cases (2014-2021) performed by a single skull base team in which the EEA was employed for the management of an intraconal orbital lesion.

Twenty patients (13 men, 7 women) with a mean age of 59 years (range, 40-89 years) were included. All lesions were isolated to the MIS, pathology addressed included: cavernous hemangioma (6), schwannoma (4), lymphoma (4), inflammatory pseudotumor (2), chronic invasive fungal sinusitis (2), and metastatic disease (2). Either a biopsy (10/20) or a complete resection (10/20) was performed. In all cases, the MIS was accessed via an endonasal corridor between the medial and inferior rectus muscles. Retraction and safe, intra-orbital dissection of the lesion was performed using a two-surgeon, multi-handed technique. Gross total resection of benign lesions was achieved in 90% (9/10) of cases; a pathologic diagnosis was achieved in 100% (10/10) of biopsy cases. No orbital reconstruction was required. Visual acuity returned to normal in 80% (8/10) of planned resection cases and postoperative diplopia resolved by 3 months in 90%. Mean follow-up was 15 months.

This study demonstrates that the EEA is safe and effective for accessing lesions in the MIS. This technique affords very favorable outcomes with minimal postoperative morbidity.

4 Laryngoscope, 134:47-55, 2024.