Endoscopic orbital and optic nerve decompression

Endoscopic orbital decompression has become the surgical treatment of choice for many patients with orbital manifestations of Graves' disease, including proptosis and optic neuropathy. The unparalleled visualization provided by endoscopic instrumentation allows for a safe and thorough decompression, particularly when operating along the orbital apex and skull base. Although the benefits of and indications for decompression of the orbit are well established, the role of optic nerve decompression remains controversial.     

Endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves' disease may occasionally result in significant proptosis that is either cosmetically unacceptable or causes visual loss. This has traditionally been managed surgically by external decompression of the orbital bony skeleton. Trans-nasal endoscopic orbital decompression is emerging as a new minimally-invasive technique, that avoids the need for cutaneous or gingival incisions. Decompression of the medial orbital wall can be performed up to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus. This can be combined with resection of the medial and posterior portion of the orbital floor (preserving the infra-orbital nerve). This technique produces decompression which is comparable to external techniques. We present a series of 10 endoscopic orbital decompressions with an average improvement of 4.4 mm in orbital proptosis. There was an improvement in visual acuity in all patients with visual impairment. Endoscopic orbital decompression is recommended as an alternative to traditional decompression techniques.     

Course of proptosis in patients with Graves' disease after endoscopic orbital decompression.

AIM: To evaluate the results of follow-up and postoperative course of proptosis in patients with Graves' disease who underwent combined transconjunctival and transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression. METHODS: Charts of patients with Graves' disease who underwent orbital decompression using combined transconjunctival and transnasal endoscopic technique were reviewed. The surgical technique involved preservation of the strut of bone between the lamina papyracea of the ethmoid and floor of the orbit of the maxilla. Data pertaining to patient demographics, previous treatments for orbital manifestations of Graves' disease, and preoperative and postoperative otolaryngologic and ophthalmologic examination findings were obtained. Postoperative course of reduction in proptosis was evaluated based on Hertel exophthalmometry measurements obtained in four intervals: 1) 0 to 1 month, 2) 1 month to 3 months, 3) 3 to 6 months, 4) 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: Twenty-eight orbital decompressions were performed on 15 patients. All patients were unresponsive to corticosteroids and orbital irradiation. Ten orbits exhibited preoperative and postoperative visual acuity of 20/20. Vision improved in nine orbits and did not change in six orbits. Proptosis was reduced in 25 orbits. Postoperative course of reduction in proptosis varied within year 1, with the smallest proptosis measurements documented between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined transconjunctival and transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression with preservation of the strut resulted in regression of proptosis, marked reduction in postoperative diplopia development, and improvement of visual acuity in patients with Graves' disease. Course of reduction in proptosis varied within postoperative 1 year, with the biggest reduction occurring between 6 and 12 months.     

Endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

BACKGROUND: Graves' ophthalmopathy generates a volume excess for the orbital cavity, which may produce proptosis, pain, exposure keratitis, diplopia, and optic neuropathy. Endoscopic orbital decompression expands the orbital cavity into the ethmoid cavity and medial maxillary sinus. This retrospective study documents the outcomes after endoscopic orbital decompression for patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. METHODS: Data collected included demographic information, symptom resolution, complications related to the surgery, reduction in proptosis, subsequent need for eye muscle surgery, and hospital length of stay. Between July 1989 and April 2003, 62 patients were referred for endoscopic orbital decompression (often unilateral). RESULTS: Three patients refused use of their medical records for research purposes. Seventy percent were women; the average age of the study group was 49 years. Preoperatively, 63% of the patients had diplopia and optic neuropathy was noted in 27%. Two patients had a cerebrospinal fluid leak identified and managed during the decompression. No postoperative leaks occurred. Twenty-five percent of patients did not require eye muscle surgery. Forty-eight percent of the patients underwent one procedure to manage diplopia. The average reduction in proptosis was 2.5 mm. Fifty-four percent were managed as an outpatient and 27% underwent a 23-hour observation period. CONCLUSION: This data supports the safety, efficiency, and efficacy of endoscopic orbital decompression for unilateral and bilateral Graves' ophthalmopathy. Eye muscle surgery frequently will be required to manage diplopia after decompression.     

Endoscopic orbital and optic nerve decompression

The endoscopic transnasal approach is well suited for decompression of both the orbit and optic canal. High-resolution nasal endoscopes provide excellent visualization for bone removal along the orbital apex and skull base. Endoscopic orbital decompression has proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of patients with Graves' orbitopathy; however, the indications and outcomes for endoscopic decompression of the optic nerve remain controversial.     

Orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

Graves' ophthalmopathy is a complex orbital condition with a controversial pathogenesis. It is the clinical expression of a discordance between the inextensible orbit and hypertrophic muscular and fatty elements within the orbit responding to immunological stimulation. The relationship between the orbital and its content can be improved by surgical expansion which increases the useful volume of the orbit. This procedure can be combined with lipectomy to decrease the volume of the orbital contents. We briefly recall the history of surgical decompression techniques and present our experience with Graves' ophthalmopathy patients.     

Orbital decompression: cadaver study

BACKGROUND: Patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy may need surgical treatment to alleviate ophthalmologic complications. The degree of reduction in proptosis following surgical intervention remains difficult to predict. OBJECTIVES: To elaborate a human model using cadaver orbits to study surgical management of Graves' ophthalmopathy. To evaluate quantitatively the contribution of each orbital wall decompression and their combinations in reduction in proptosis. To improve the ability to predict the degree of proptosis reduction according to the wall(s) chosen for decompression. METHODS: Artificial exophthalmos was created in 12 cadavers' orbits by injecting a polysaccharide gel in the peribulbar and retrobulbar tissues. Proptosis reduction was measured following successive orbital decompression. RESULTS: Decompression of one wall produced a nonstatistical significant reduction in proptosis. The combination of the medial and lateral walls significantly reduced the proptosis by a mean of 4.2 mm. Three-wall decompression gave a mean significant reduction of 6.6 mm, and when combined with the advancement of the lateral wall, it reduced proptosis by 12.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: We created an experimental model for research and didactic purposes for surgical mangement of Graves' ophthalmopathy. With this model, to obtain 5 mm or more of proptosis reduction, three-wall decompression is required. Advancement of the lateral wall achieved a further reduction in proptosis. For a proptosis reduction of less than 5 mm, decompression of the medial and lateral walls is appropriate.     

Minimally invasive orbital decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy

We reviewed a 7-year experience at a tertiary-care, academic medical center with balanced, minimally invasive decompression for Graves' ophthalmopathy, in an effort to define the goals, risks, and outcomes of surgical intervention. Endoscopic medial decompression was performed in 26 patients; 23 underwent lateral decompression as well, and 13 also had inferior decompression. Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and orbital rim augmentation were performed as needed. The indications for surgery were threat to vision (n = 10) and proptosis with a desire to return to the predisease state (rehabilitative, n = 16). The exophthalmos improved by a mean of 4.4 mm (p < .001). All patients who had surgery for threatened vision had improved vision after the operation. There were 3 patients with new-onset postoperative diplopia, 2 of whom underwent strabismus surgery. There was 1 case of postoperative sinusitis, which resolved with oral antibiotics and nasal decongestion, and 1 case of transient ulnar neuropathy. There were no other intraoperative or postoperative complications. Modern methods of orbital decompression provide a minimally invasive, effective, and relatively safe approach to the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy.     

Image-guided endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy

OBJECTIVES: We studied the efficacy and safety of image-guided balanced orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy. METHODS: The data of 24 patients (45 orbits) were reviewed for demographics, ophthalmologic outcomes, and complications in regard to image-guided (18 orbits) versus non-image-guided surgery (27 orbits). RESULTS: Overall, all patients had a reduction in proptosis (mean reduction, 6.2 mm in proptosis) as measured by Hertel exophthalmometry. There was improvement in the visual acuity of all 12 orbits with preoperative acuity of 20/40 or worse and either complete resolution (38%) or improvement (62%) in the 16 orbits with optic neuropathy. These measures reached statistical significance. Despite subjective improvement in surgeon confidence, the use of image guidance did not result in a statistically significant difference in postoperative ophthalmologic outcomes. Medical and sinonasal complications were experienced by 11.1% and 18.5% of patients who underwent image-guided and non-image-guided orbital decompression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Image guidance may be a useful adjunct to balanced orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy, but it was not associated with a statistically significant improvement in outcomes in this study.     

Selection of patients and choice of operation for orbital decompression in graves ophthalmopathy

Until the fundamental cause of the orbital problem associated with Graves' disease is better understood and can be prevented or reversed, some patients will need palliative orbital decompression. Of the available methods of orbital enlargement, the transantral ethmoidal decompression and the transfrontal operation seem most useful because of the amount of bone that can be removed by either approach. Transantral decompression is an appropriate operation for those patients with serious bilateral disease who would otherwise be treated systemically with corticosteroids. It also is of value as a preliminary step to extraocular muscle surgery after the orbital process has stabilized in those patients with exophthalmos and extraocular muscle myopathy and diplopia. Cosmetic decompression by this route is practical but total rehabilitation may also require upper lid and rectus muscle surgery. Forty patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy were treated by transantral decompression in the period July, 1969, to July, 1972. Seventeen of these had optic nerve dysfunction and visual field defects, papilledema, or choroidal folding. Fourteen patients had proptosis without optic neuropathy and six of these had corneal ulceration. Five patients had decompression specifically as a preliminary to eye muscle surgery and four patients had decompression for purely cosmetic reasons. The transfrontal decompression is ideal for patients with unilateral exophthalmos and when orbital exploration is needed. The transfrontal operation can salvage vision in the occasional patient with serious disease that is not palliated by transantral decompression. Orbital decompression is a more conservative approach to palliation than is high-dose long-term systemic steroid therapy. Orbital decompression has effectively controlled the optic neuropathy of Graves' disease without serious complications from the operation and without risking the potential side-effects of long-term high-dose steroid therapy.     

内镜下经筛径路眶内侧壁减压联合脂肪减压术治疗Graves眼病

目的 探讨内镜下经筛径路眶内侧壁减压术联合内镜下经筛径路眶肌锥内脂肪减压术治疗Graves眼病(Graves' ophthalmopathy,GO)的可行性,并分析其疗效.方法 对2006年10月至2011年5月因并发眶尖拥挤视神经病变而接受眶减压手术的29例GO患者进行回顾性分析.所有患者术前确诊为非组织活动期,均因视力下降、视野缺损或色觉障碍,同时合并眼球突出而接受内镜下经筛径路眶内侧壁减压术联合肌锥内眶脂肪减压术,术后定期随访.根据术后9个月视力、色觉改善程度,以及眼球突出度矫正度、复视等并发症判断疗效.结果 共收集资料齐全的GO患者29例(45眼).术后9个月,44眼(97.8％)视力明显改善,视力从术前((x)±s,下同)的-0.65±0.30提高至-0.24±0.22,视力平均提高达0.55 ±0.17,手术前后比较差异有统计学意义(t=- 13.012,p＜0.001);29眼术前色觉障碍者,23眼(79.3％)术后明显改善;术后双眼眼球对称度达100％,手术前后比较,平均眼球突出矫正度达(7.07±1.59) mm(4～11 mm).术后所有病例双眼眼球突出度相差＜2 mm,除1例术后复视加重外,术后无一例新发复视、视力下降、眶内出血等并发症发生.结论内镜下经筛径路眶内侧壁减压术联合肌锥内眶脂肪减压术在实现眶尖部减压的同时可以达到有效矫正眼球突出度的效果,且具有微创,无颜面部瘢痕,术后复视、眼球移位等发生率极低的优点,该术式是治疗GO并发眶尖拥挤视神经病变患者的安全有效的手段之一.     

Three-wall decompression technique using transpalpebral and endonasal approach in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the three-wall decompression technique using transpalpebral and endonasal approach in patients suffering from Graves' ophthalmopathy. METHODS: In this prospective study, we present a consecutive series of 15 subjects (17 eyes) who were submitted to orbital decompression by removing the inferior and lateral walls using transpalpebral incision combined with a transnasal endoscopic resection of the medial wall. The surgical technique involved the preservation of the bone structure between the lamina papyracea of the ethmoid and the maxillary orbital floor. MAIN RESULTS: The mean ocular recession based on Hertel measurements was 6.00 mm (range, 4-9 mm). None of the patients presented pre-operation diplopia, and one developed post-operation diplopia. Visual acuity was preserved in all cases. CONCLUSION: It is safe and efficient to perform three-wall decompression, combining transpalpebral and endoscopic transnasal approach, with preservation of the bone structure and the bone lateral to the infraorbital canal with fixation by two titanium plates on the lateral edge and removal of intraorbital fat, which results in significant proptosis reduction and minimal complications.     

Evaluation and management of Graves' orbitopathy

Graves' orbitopathy, also known as Graves' ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease, is a potentially progressive but generally self-limited autoimmune process associated with hyperthyroidism. It is the most common cause of proptosis and the most common orbital inflammatory disorder in adults.     

Total thyroid ablation: a prerequisite to orbital decompression for Graves disease ophthalmopathy

The fundamental cause of the ophthalmopathy of Graves disease is not known. This has precluded a specific means of prevention. Surgical, medical and radiation means of palliation are presented. Our data indicates that total ablation of all active thyroid tissue prevents initiation of ophthalmopathy as well as accomplishing permanent control of progression of already present ophthalmopathy in Graves disease. Improved surgical techniques of orbital decompression are described and recognized as giving excellent palliation of the ophthalmopathy. These extensive procedures do not take into consideration, have no influence on the underlying cause of, nor do they have any effect upon the progression of the ophthalmopathy. Presented are patients with Graves disease ophthalmopathy subjected to orbital decompression who experienced only temporary relief of their ophthalmopathy. Subsequent to the decompression there was progression of the ophthalmopathy with increasing chemosis, diplopia, and exophthalmos. Thyroid scans demonstrated residual active disease in all instances. The temporary benefits of orbital decompression in Graves disease ophthalmopathy are indisputable. It may be vision saving, but also must be considered palliative. A plea is made that all active thyroid tissue be totally ablated before consideration is given to orbital decompression as a therapeutic or palliative procedure, except as an emergency vision saving procedure as in “impending blindness” in Graves disease ophthalmopathy.     

Endoscopic orbital decompression

Exophthalmos from Graves' disease can result in visual disability and cosmetic deformity. Surgical treatment of this disorder is now possible through an intranasal endoscopic approach that allows removal of the medial orbital wall and floor without an external incision. Endoscopic orbital decompression was performed on 22 orbits in 14 patients for treatment of progressive exophthalmos. Local anesthesia was used in five cases. Sixteen procedures involved a concurrent lateral orbital decompression performed through an external approach. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Visual acuity remained stable or improved in all cases. Proptosis was reduced an average of 3.2 ± 1.1 mm (range 2 to 4.5 mm) by endoscopic decompression alone. When a lateral decompression was also performed, proptosis was reduced by an additional 2.4 mm, for an average improvement of 5.6 ± 1.7 mm (range 2 to 8 mm). Endoscopic orbital decompression appears to be a safe technique for the treatment of exophthalmos that can be performed effectively with the patient under general or local anesthesia.     

Reduction of diplopia following endoscopic orbital decompression: the orbital sling technique

OBJECTIVE: Although endoscopic orbital decompression has become the surgical treatment of choice for patients with proptosis from Graves disease, postoperative diplopia requiring corrective eye muscle surgery can occur in up to 63% of patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate a new technique intended to reduce the incidence of diplopia following endoscopic orbital decompression. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control. METHODS: Endoscopic orbital decompression was performed on 58 orbits in 37 patients with proptosis from Graves disease. The orbital sling technique, which makes use of a horizontal strip of periorbital fascia to prevent prolapse of the medial rectus muscle, was used on 20 orbits in 13 patients. Conventional endoscopic decompression was performed in 24 control subjects. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.3 +/- 1.3 years (range, 1.7-5.1 y). RESULTS: The incidence of new-onset or worsened diplopia following endoscopic decompression was significantly lower for the orbital sling group compared with control subjects (0% vs. 29.2%, respectively [ =.038]). No patients in the orbital sling group developed new-onset diplopia following surgery. Of the eight patients with pre-existing diplopia from the orbitopathy, double vision improved in four patients (50%) and was unchanged in the remaining four patients (50%). The mean reduction in proptosis was comparable for the orbital sling and control groups (5.1 +/- 1.1 mm vs. 5.0 +/- 1.9 mm, respectively [ P=.98]). CONCLUSIONS The preservation of a fascial sling overlying the medial rectus muscle during endoscopic orbital decompression appears to reduce the incidence of postoperative diplopia, while still allowing for a satisfactory reduction in proptosis. This modification of the standard decompression technique should be considered for the treatment of patients with proptosis.     

Microsurgical endonasal decompression in dysthyroid orbitopathy

Diagnosis of thyroid eye disease can be established by its history, signs, symptoms, clinical and laboratory findings of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Therapy for this disease is limited to a few options, which should be administered depending on its stage and inflammatory activity. When medication and radiation therapy fail indications for decompression are: loss of visual acuity or visual field defects, increasing strabism and severe keratopathy due to eyelid retraction. Numerous surgical decompression techniques have been described in endocrine orbitopathy. We have adopted endonasal microsurgery, because this technique gives the freedom to work bimanually, ensures a stereomicoscopic view of the intranasal landmarks of orbital walls and allows simultaneous decompression of the medial and inferior orbital wall as well as a good relief of pressure at the orbital apex. Decompressions were performed on 27 orbits in 17 patients, via the endonasal microsurgical, 3 via external approach. The microscopic approach was entirely comparable with regard to reduction of proptosis with a mean improvement of 4.1 mm against a mean of 4.7 mm by external approach and a mean 0.2 of better visual acuity in both procedures. The microsurgical technique is considered superior to an external approach avoiding external scars, neural pains and reportedly less diplopia. Also, trauma to the nalolacrimal and nasofrontal ducts are avoided. The healing phase and the hospitalization time is shorter.     

Transantral orbital decompression for Graves’disease

Seventy-five patients with Graves’disease have been treated by transantral orbital decompression. In the first post-operative month the average reduction in proptosis was 3 mm. In the years following the operation this reduction increased to an average of 4.5 mm. In 32% of the patients without diplopia before surgery, the diplopia that developed afterwards did not disappear, 83% of them were successfully treated by extraocular muscle surgery. Seventy per cent of the patients experienced immediate post-operative improvement of visual acuity. Only three patients remained with anaesthesia of the infra-orbital nerve. A total of 65% of the patients found the operation procedure beneficial while 76% were satisfied with the ophthalmological result. We conclude, that transantral orbital decompression, though with moderate morbidity, gives good results in patients with the orbital complications of Graves’disease.     

Balanced orbital decompression for graves' ophthalmopathy

Objective/Hypothesis: Surgical management of Graves' ophthalmopathy is an alternative to medical therapy with corticosteroids or external beam radiotherapy. Orbital decompression has commonly been performed via a transantral approach to the medial orbital wall and floor. Although an endoscopic approach to these walls has been described, a balanced approach (incorporating a lateral decompression by an ophthalmology team) is desirable. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Endoscopic medial decompression and extended lateral decompression were accomplished in 18 orbits (11 patients); inferior decompression was performed in 11 of these. Five additional procedures were performed. Results: Exophthalmos improved by a mean of 4.6 mm. All patients who underwent decompression for vision loss had improved vision after surgery. Exposure keratitis improved in six of six orbits. Two of five patients undergoing orbital decompression for vision loss developed postoperative diplopia, which was successfully treated with strabismus surgery or prism glasses. There were no other significant complications. Conclusions: The endoscopic approach to the medial orbital wall is an important component of balanced orbital decompression for patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Balancing the decompression and preserving the medial orbital strut between the ethmoid cavity and the orbital floor may minimize the risk of diplopia. Laryngoscope, 108:1648–1653, 1998