Orbital decompression for gross proptosis associated with orbital lymphangioma

A 14-year-old boy with 11 mm of proptosis and exposure keratopathy secondary to an orbital lymphangioma underwent surgical debulking with a carbon dioxide laser through a lateral orbitotomy combined with a 3-wall orbital decompression. The proptosis was reduced by approximately 2 mm as a result of the debulking procedure, but a further 5 mm reduction was achieved with the orbital decompression. No serious adverse effects were encountered. Bony orbital decompression may be a useful alternative treatment in patients with severe proptosis secondary to orbital lymphangioma.     

眶脂肪脱出术治疗甲状腺相关眼病

目的 :回顾和评价眶脂肪脱出术治疗甲状腺相关眼病眼球突出的疗效。方法 :经眼睑或结膜切口入路 ,切除肌肉圆锥内、外的脂肪 ,达到降低眶压 ,减少眼球突出度的目的。结果 :切除眶脂肪 1 5～ 11ml,平均 3 9ml,矫正眼球突出度 2～ 6mm ,平均 3 1mm。该治疗副作用很少 ,不影响视力及眼球运动 ,与提上睑肌延长术联合效果更佳。结论 :眶脂肪脱出术可以缓解眼球突出 ,是治疗甲状腺相关眼病性突眼的有效方法     

Multiple myeloma presenting as bilateral orbital proptosis

A 58-year-old-man presented with painful rapidly progressive bilateral proptosis with restricted ocular movements of 15 days duration. There was history of significant weight loss in the recent past. Computed tomography scan of the head and orbit revealed bilateral multiple, well-defined, round, soft tissue masses, isointense with muscles in intraconal and extraconal space. Fine needle aspiration cytology and incision biopsy from the lesion, urine for Bence-Jones proteins and immunofixation clinched the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Skeletal survey did not reveal any bony involvement.The diagnosis of multiple myeloma should be kept in mind in cases of bilateral proptosis. Bony involvement is not universal in cases of orbital myeloma. Early diagnosis can be established with extensive biochemical and histopathological investigations and timely treatment is life saving for these patients.     

Congenital orbital varices causing extreme neonatal proptosis

PURPOSE: To report a 6-week-old male with extreme proptosis caused by thrombosed orbital varices. METHODS: A 6-week-old male presented with advanced proptosis of his left eye. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies of the orbits revealed a heterogeneous cystic mass that filled the entire left orbit. Extreme proptosis and corneal exposure prompted urgent surgical excision of the mass. Histopathologic review of the lesion was consistent with orbital varices. CONCLUSIONS: Although orbital varices usually are found in adults, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital lesions in children. Observation is usually warranted, but surgical intervention may be necessary in advanced cases.     

Current trends in orbital decompression

A questionnaire was sent to members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and the Orbital Society in regard to indications, surgical techniques and results of orbital decompression for Graves' disease. It was found that more than 60% of orbital decompressions were performed for mild to severe exophthalmos to correct corneal exposure or disfigurement. A total of 3.9% of these procedures were performed to relieve visual loss in compressive neuropathy. The large majority of decompressions were performed using antral-ethmoidal decompression via a translid or fornix approach. The amount of retrodisplacement was greatest with Kennerdell-Maroon or four-wall decompression and the least with lateral wall decompression. The antral-ethmoidal and three-wall decompression techniques gave an average of 4 to 6 mm of retrodisplacement. It was determined from the survey that antral-ethmoidal decompressions performed through the transantral approach were more likely to relieve the pressure in compressive neuropathy and also more likely to induce a worsening of muscle balance. In contrast, antral-ethmoidal decompressions performed via the translid approach were not as effective in relieving compressive neuropathy but had a much lower incidence of worsened muscle balance, and in fact, resulted in a higher incidence of improved muscle balance. The same trends were confirmed in the author's surgical practice, and an anatomic explanation is offered. The importance of creating nasoantral windows following decompression is emphasized. The risks of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and changes in eyelid positioning following decompression are described.     

Large meningoencephalocele after orbital decompression

A 71-year-old woman with a history of thyroid eye disease was seen for evaluation of a skull-base mass noted on neuroimaging. She had previously under-gone bilateral orbital decompressions and strabismus surgery and had no neurologic symptoms. Bony defects along the skull base and cerebrospinal fluid leaks are known risks of orbital surgery. This is the first report of a large, asymptomatic meningoencephalocele after orbital decompression surgery.     

Combined endoscopic medial and inferior orbital decompression with transcutaneous lateral orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical efficacy and morbidity of combined endoscopic transnasal medial and inferior wall orbital decompression performed in conjunction with transcutaneous lateral orbital decompression. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four subjects (64 orbits) underwent combined orbital decompression procedures for treatment of Graves' orbitopathy. INTERVENTION: Transnasal endoscopic medial wall and floor with simultaneous transcutaneous lateral orbital decompression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Ocular motility, visual acuity, and exophthalmometry. RESULTS: No new ocular motility disturbances occurred. There was a mean gain of 0.7 Snellen lines in acuity (range +9 to -10 lines). A mean proptosis reduction of 4.2 mm was observed (range 1-9 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Combined endoscopic transnasal medial and inferior orbital wall decompression done in conjunction with transcutaneous lateral orbital decompression carries a low risk of morbidity, including new onset motility disorders, and yields anatomic retropulsion of the globe that is comparable to other methods.     

Results of orbital decompression in Taiwan

Orbital decompression was performed on 116 orbits with Graves' ophthalmopathy. The indications for decompression were dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON), recalcitrant corneal exposure (EXP) and disfiguring exophthalmos (COS). All cases but one (in the DON group) had improved or unchanged vision. The average retinal sensitivity improvement in the DON group was 6.7 +/- 6.1 dB and 85% had a significant retinal sensitivity improvement (>5 dB). The average retroplacement effect was 4.4 +/- 2.1 mm and only five cases (7%) had postoperative asymmetry of more than 2 mm by Hertel's exophthalmometry. The most frequent sequela was diplopia, which tended to occur in more severely myopathic eyes. In our series, 21% (10/48 cases without preoperative diplopia) developed diplopia after decompressive surgery. Hypoglobus is another complication, noted in two cases, which was successfully repositioned. In conclusion, decompressive surgery is a safe and effective procedure to restore vision and reduce exophthalmos in Graves' ophthalmopathy. Careful evaluation of clinical parameters, individualization of surgical goals and intraoperative titration of the retroplacement effect are the key to optimal results.     

Bilateral leukemic orbital infiltration presenting as proptosis and narrow-angle glaucoma

A 71-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia presented with bilateral uveal and orbital leukemic infiltration presenting as tense bilateral proptosis, orbital inflammation, and acute-angle closure glaucoma. B-scan ultrasonography revealed uveoscleral thickening and anterior rotation of the ciliary body. Orbital CT and MRI showed bilateral proptosis with streaking of intraconal fat. Temporary pressure lowering occurred after lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. Definitive treatment included systemic chemotherapy and steroids. Over a 2-week period, vision improved and proptosis resolved, and the intraocular pressure returned to normal. The patient died of cerebral complications of his illness after 6 weeks. This is the first reported case of orbital and ocular leukemic infiltration presenting simultaneously as tense proptosis and narrow-angle glaucoma.     

Lateral wall advancement in orbital decompression

Treatment of dysthyroid orbitopathy can be enhanced with a modified craniofacial approach using a lateral wall osteotomy, and anterolateral advancement and osteosynthesis in conjunction with medial and inferior wall orbital decompression. The technique of lateral wall advancement is described, and the results are discussed. While the authors advocate orbital decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy, advancement of the lateral orbital wall can easily be performed as an adjunct to the two- or three-wall decompression procedure. Advancement appears to increase the overall decompressive effect by providing a potential space where lateral expansion can occur and by enlarging the bony orbital volume. It also appears to lessen lid retraction and facilitates (and in some cases, obviates) the need for further lid retraction surgery.     

Pressure-volume orbital measurement comparing decompression approaches

Commonly used orbital decompressions are lateral wall, antral-ethmoidal, "three-wall," and "four-wall" decompressions. Bladders filled with saline were placed in intact bony orbits before and after decompression for comparison of compliance curves by these four methods. The lateral wall decompressions produced the least volume change, while the four-wall produced the most. The three-wall decompression provided next best pressure reduction.     

Delayed orbital infection after endoscopic orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy

OBJECTIVE: To present a delayed complication of endoscopic orbital decompression that has not been reported previously in the literature. DESIGN: Retrospective non-comparative small case series. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy. INTERVENTION: The medical records of patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy who underwent endoscopic orbital decompression and subsequently developed orbital infection were reviewed. RESULTS: Three patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy developed orbital infection (cellulitis or abscess) originating from the frontal sinus more than 2 years after their endoscopic orbital decompression surgery. Management required drainage of the abscess, administration of antibiotics, and creation of adequate frontal sinus drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed orbital infection can occur after endoscopic orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy when the frontal sinus ostium is obstructed by orbital fat or scar tissue. Infection within the frontal sinus can cause secondary orbital cellulitis or abscess. Early signs and symptoms of a frontal sinus infection can be easily misdiagnosed as progression of the patient's thyroid eye disease. Awareness of this possible complication followed by appropriate early intervention will prevent a potentially blinding condition. Furthermore, ever since this complication was observed, the authors' surgical technique of endoscopic decompression has been modified to leave the most anterosuperior portion of the lamina papyracea to prevent fat prolapse and scar formation into the region of the frontal recess.     

眼眶平衡减压术治疗甲状腺相关眼病

目的 探讨平衡眼眶减压术治疗甲状腺相关眼病的疗效和手术方法。方法 采用内外壁眼眶减压术治疗20例35眼甲状腺相关眼病患者。术后随访平均14个月。观察术后视力、眼球突出度和眼球运动等情况。结果 20例35眼中除1例行眶外壁减压外，其余均行内外壁平衡眼眶减压术。眼球突出度缓解3～11mm，其中3～4mm者5眼，5～9mm者28眼，10～11mm者2眼，平均6．32mm。视力从术前数指提高至0．1者6眼，提高2行以上者8眼，无变化21眼。术后眼球运动明显好转者9眼，运动障碍加重2眼。无视力丧失及术后感染。结论 平衡眼眶减压术是治疗甲状腺相关眼病的有效方法。     

Fronto-ethmoidal mucocele after coronal orbital decompression

A patient who underwent coronal orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy eight years earlier presented with left-sided proptosis without signs of periorbital inflammation. Computed tomography imaging showed a fronto-ethmoidal mucocele. It is suggested that this mucocele may be a late complication of decompression surgery.