[Unilateral lesion of the optic nerve in cranio-cerebral injuries]

The authors analyse the clinical picture and the results of nonoperative and surgical treatment of unilateral traumatic compression of the optic nerve in 23 patients with closed craniocerebral trauma. The principle role in the pathogenesis of the damage to the optic nerve is attributed to its functional compression within the optic canal as the result of impaired intratruncal circulation and edema of the nerve. This mechanism of the compression may in some cases serve as the reason for undertaking decompression of the optic nerve by resection of the superior wall of the optic canal. Eight patients were operated on, a positive ophthalmological effect was produced in 5 of them. In 15 patients who did not undergo surgery the process terminated in unilateral amaurosis.