Congenital opticmeningocele: diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up

Congenital opticmeningoceles were recently described as intraorbital optic nerve cystic lesions, in which neural tissue is found to be part of the lining of the lesion. We describe the case of an eleven-month-old patient with a right opticmeningocele, followed through seven years. He presented with proptosis and hypotropia since birth and imaging exams disclosed an intraconal cystic lesion. A needle puncture revealed a fluid characteristic of cerebrospinal fluid. Surgical drainage performed through a lid crease approach resulted in recurrence of the proptosis. Surgical excision of the capsule finally was definitive, and pathology revealed an epithelial-lined capsule. Eight months after the capsule excision, a strabismus surgery was performed to improve the right hypotropia. Although visual prognosis of opticmeningoceles is poor, a good cosmetic result can be obtained with a multidisciplinary approach involving orbit and strabismus surgeons. The complete capsule excision is believed to be the preferable surgical option for permanently treating the proptosis once needle puncture and cyst drainage are associated with recurrence. The orbital access for approaching the lesion depends on the location of the cyst and should provide wide exposure to avoid new surgical procedures in young patients.