Surgical lesions of the intracranial optic nerves and optic chiasm

Compressive tumors and vascular lesions affecting the intracranial optic nerves and optic chiasm are of interest to both the neurosurgeon and the neuro-ophthalmologist. Common types of tumors that occur in the chiasmal and parasellar regions are discussed in terms of their course, neuro-ophthalmologic implications, and surgical treatment by the transsphenoidal approach as opposed to the standard subfrontal approach. Vascular lesions that cause visual distrubances, including intracranial aneurysms and arteries acting as compressive lesions of the chiasm and nerves or in conjunction with tumors, are discussed.