Optic Nerve Decompression for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report.

Hyun, Kyung Bae; Kim, Sun Ho; Choi, Jong Woo; Kim, Yong Oock; Park, Beyoung Yun

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2005;32(3):389-392.
Published online May 1, 2005.

Optic Nerve Decompression for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report.

Kyung Bae Hyun, Sun Ho Kim, Jong Woo Choi, Yong Oock Kim, Beyoung Yun Park

¹Institute of Human Tissue Restoration, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sgm625@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
²Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

A case of visual loss following cranio-maxillofacial trauma is reported. The patient had acute optic nerve injury associated with a fracture of the right zygomaticomaxillary and fronto-naso-ethmoido-orbital bone and epidural hematoma on the right temporal lobe of brain. Bony fragments compressing the optic nerve on lateral side was identified on computed tomography. Decompression of the optic nerve combined with evacuation of epidural hematoma has been performed via transfrontal craniotomy. The patient had complete recovery of visual acuity without any complications. The role of optic nerve decompression in the management of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy is discussed. Surgical indication is controversial and the procedure should be considered only within the context of the specific indication of the individual patient.

Keywords: Traumatic optic neuropathy; Optic nerve decompression